Agricultural Lane Following

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for agricultural lane following are described. For example, a method includes accessing range data captured using a distance sensor connected to a vehicle and/or image data captured using an image sensor connected to a vehicle; detecting a crop row based on the range data and/or the image data to obtain position data for the crop row; determining, based on the position data for the crop row, a yaw and a lateral position of the vehicle with respect to a lane bounded by the crop row; and based on the yaw and the lateral position, controlling the vehicle to move along a length of the lane bounded by the crop row.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/869,865, filed on Jul. 2, 2019, entitled“AGRICULTURAL LANE FOLLOWING,” which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to vehicle controllers for agricultural andindustrial applications.

BACKGROUND

Autonomous vehicles have been made for automated navigation on roads andobstacle courses. These autonomous vehicles uses sensors, such ascameras and lidar, to sense objects in their environment. For example,an autonomous vehicle may generate motion plans and affect those motionplans by controlling wheels of the vehicles via control of an engine andtransmission system, a braking system, and a steering system.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are implementations of vehicle controllers foragricultural and industrial applications.

In a first aspect, the subject matter described in this specificationcan be embodied in systems that include a distance sensor connected to avehicle, wherein the distance sensor is configured to output range datareflecting distances of objects with respect to the vehicle; actuatorsconfigured to control motion of the vehicle; and a processing apparatusconfigured to: access range data captured using the distance sensor;detect a crop row based on the range data to obtain position data forthe crop row; determine, based on the position data for the crop row, ayaw and a lateral position of the vehicle with respect to a lane boundedby the crop row; and based on the yaw and the lateral position, control,using one or more of the actuators, the vehicle to move along a lengthof the lane bounded by the crop row.

In a second aspect, the subject matter described in this specificationcan be embodied in systems that include one or more image sensorsconnected to a vehicle; actuators configured to control motion of thevehicle; and a processing apparatus configured to: access image datacaptured using the one or more image sensors; detect a crop row based onthe image data to obtain position data for the crop row; determine,based on the position data for the crop row, a yaw and a lateralposition of the vehicle with respect to a lane bounded by the crop row;and based on the yaw and the lateral position, control, using one ormore of the actuators, the vehicle to move along a length of the lanebounded by the crop row.

In a third aspect, the subject matter described in this specificationcan be embodied in methods that include accessing range data capturedusing a distance sensor connected to a vehicle; detecting a crop rowbased on the range data to obtain position data for the crop row;determining, based on the position data for the crop row, a yaw and alateral position of the vehicle with respect to a lane bounded by thecrop row; and, based on the yaw and the lateral position, controllingthe vehicle to move along a length of the lane bounded by the crop row.

In a fourth aspect, the subject matter described in this specificationcan be embodied in methods that include accessing image data capturedusing one or more image sensors connected to a vehicle; detecting a croprow based on the image data to obtain position data for the crop row;determining, based on the position data for crop row, a yaw and alateral position of the vehicle with respect to a lane bounded by thecrop row; and, based on the yaw and the lateral position, controllingthe vehicle to move along a length of the lane bounded by the crop row.

In a fifth aspect, the subject matter described in this specificationcan be embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumstoring executable instructions that, when executed by a processor,facilitate performance of operations, including accessing range datacaptured using a distance sensor connected to a vehicle; detecting acrop row based on the range data to obtain position data for the croprow; determining, based on the position data for the crop row, a yaw anda lateral position of the vehicle with respect to a lane bounded by thecrop row; and, based on the yaw and the lateral position, controllingthe vehicle to move along a length of the lane bounded by the crop row.

In a sixth aspect, the subject matter described in this specificationcan be embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumstoring executable instructions that, when executed by a processor,facilitate performance of operations, including accessing image datacaptured using one or more image sensors connected to a vehicle;detecting a crop row based on the image data to obtain position data forthe crop row; determining, based on the position data for crop row, ayaw and a lateral position of the vehicle with respect to a lane boundedby the crop row; and, based on the yaw and the lateral position,controlling the vehicle to move along a length of the lane bounded bythe crop row.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure is best understood from the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Itis emphasized that, according to common practice, the various featuresof the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of thevarious features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

FIG. 1 is block diagram of an example of a system for automaticallycontrolling a vehicle with a mounted implement to perform operations inportions of a geographic area.

FIG. 2 is flow chart of an example of a process for automaticallycontrolling a vehicle with a mounted implement to perform operations inportions of a geographic area.

FIG. 3 is flow chart of an example of a process for generating a pathdata structure based on localization data collected during ademonstration run.

FIG. 4 is flow chart of an example of a process for generating a pathdata structure based on a drawing on a map.

FIG. 5 is flow chart of an example of a process for generating a pathdata structure based on a boundary and a coverage objective.

FIG. 6 is flow chart of an example of a process for automatedlocalization of a vehicle in an agricultural environment.

FIG. 7 is flow chart of an example of a process for filtering pointcloud data from an agricultural environment for localization analysis.

FIG. 8 is flow chart of an example of a process for localizing a vehiclein an agricultural environment.

FIG. 9 is flow chart of an example of a process for dynamicallyadjusting implement control for an implement connected to a vehicle inan agricultural environment.

FIG. 10 is a memory map showing an example format for a waypoint recordof a path data structure that may be used to facilitate automaticcontrol of a vehicle with a mounted implement to perform operations inportions of a geographic area.

FIG. 11 is block diagram of an example of a tractor sensing system.

FIG. 12 is block diagram of an example of a tractor control system.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of an example of a tractor retrofitted withan autonomous system.

FIG. 14 is block diagram of an example of a hardware architecture for anautonomous vehicle control system.

FIG. 15 is block diagram of an example of a hardware architecture for anautonomous vehicle control system.

FIG. 16 is block diagram of an example of a tractor perception system.

FIG. 17 is block diagram of an example of a system configured forautonomous vehicle control.

FIG. 18 is block diagram of an example of a system configured forautonomous vehicle control using perception based tree detection and rowfollowing.

FIG. 19 is block diagram of an example of a system configured forautonomous vehicle control using perception based end-of-row detectionand row rejoining.

FIG. 20 is block diagram of an example of a method for globalpositioning system based path pre-learning by manual vehicle driving.

FIG. 21 is block diagram of an example of a method for globalpositioning system based path pre-learning by waypoints generation.

FIG. 22 is block diagram of an example of a method for globalpositioning system based path planning and navigation using sensorfusion.

FIG. 23 is block diagram of an example of a software architecture for anautonomous vehicle control system.

FIG. 24 is block diagram of an example of an emergency stop system.

FIG. 25 is flow chart of an example of a process for agricultural lanefollowing using a distance sensor.

FIG. 26 is flow chart of an example of a process for determining a yawand a lateral position within an agricultural lane based on detectedplants.

FIG. 27 is flow chart of an example of a process for determining a yawand a lateral position within an agricultural lane based on an edge of araised planting bed.

FIG. 28 is flow chart of an example of a process for detecting crop rowby identifying bounding boxes for plants of the crop row.

FIG. 29 is flow chart of an example of a process for following a furrowin an agricultural environment.

FIG. 30 is flow chart of an example of a process for agricultural lanefollowing using one or more image sensors.

FIG. 31 is flow chart of an example of a process for determining a yawand a lateral position within an agricultural lane based on detectedplants.

FIG. 32 is an illustration of an example of an agricultural lanefollowing scenario.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are systems and processes for automated control ofvehicles in agricultural and industrial environments. Someimplementations may control movement of a vehicle (e.g., a tractor, atruck, or an all-terrain vehicle) and operation of an implement (e.g., aboom sprayer, a spreader, a harvester, a row crop cultivator, an auger,a plow, a tiller, a backhoe, a forklift, or a mower) that is connectedto the vehicle in order to perform various operations at a subset oflocations within a geographical area. In some implementations, theseoperations are controlled based on a predetermined path data structure,which may specify a desired path for a vehicle as a sequence ofwaypoints in a map of a geographic area. For example, waypoints of thepath may include implement control data that specify how a mountedimplement is to be used at locations associated with the respectivewaypoints. In some implementations, a path data structure may begenerated by recording localization data for the vehicle and associatedimplement control data while a user manually controls the vehicle andthe mounted implement to perform operations. In some implementations, apath data structure is generated based on a path drawn by user over arepresentation of a map that is presented to a user as part of a userinterface. In some implementations, a path data structure may begenerated automatically based on a map, specification of boundary of aregion to be processed, a coverage objective, and/or vehicle andimplement parameters and constraints.

The systems may include sensors connected to a vehicle for monitoringthe state of the vehicle, monitoring the state of a mounted implement,and/or sensing the state of the surrounding environment. For example, alocalization process may be implemented to determine an estimate of acurrent location of the vehicle based on motion sensor data and/orsensor data regarding objects (e.g., trees or row crops) in thesurrounding environment. For example, a distance sensor (e.g., a lidarsensor, a radar sensor, or a sonar sensor) connected to the vehicle maybe used to detect objects (e.g., plants) in a vicinity of the vehicle.Detected objects may then be matched with a topology of objectsrepresented in a map to provide accurate localization (e.g., wheremotion sensor data is imprecise or unavailable.

For example, the state of objects (e.g., plants) in the environment mayalso be detected and monitored using sensors connected to a vehicle. Forexample, a normalized difference vegetation index camera may beconnected to a vehicle and used to estimate a current state of a plantin the environment. For example, the state of plant may be monitoredover time and used to determine recommendations for crop care. In someimplementations, an estimate of the current state of one or more plantsmay be used to dynamically adjust the operation of an implementconnected to the vehicle to better process the one or more plants. Forexample, an amount of input (e.g., water, fertilizer, or pesticide)deposited on the one or more plants may be adjusted based on sensor datareflecting a current state of the one or more plants.

FIG. 1 is block diagram of an example of a system 100 for automaticallycontrolling a vehicle with a mounted implement to perform operations inportions of a geographic area. The system 100 system includes a vehicle110; an implement 120 that is connected to the vehicle 110 andconfigured to selectively perform an operation in a vicinity of thevehicle 110; a processing apparatus 130 that is configured to controlthe vehicle 110 and the implement 120; sensors 140 connected to thevehicle 110 and/or the implement 120; and actuators 150 configured tocontrol motion of the vehicle 110 and/or to control operation of animplement 120 based on control signals from the processing apparatus130. The vehicle 110 may include a manual control interface 112 that canbe used to control the vehicle 110 and the implement 120. In thisexample, the sensors 140 include one or more motion sensors 142, one ormore image sensors 144, one or more distance sensors 146, and one ormore control feedback sensors 148. For example, the system 100 may beused to implement the process 200 of FIG. 2, the process 600 of FIG. 6,and/or the process 900 of FIG. 9.

The system 100 includes a vehicle 110. For example, the vehicle 110 maybe a tractor, a truck, an all-terrain vehicle, a drone, or a boat. Insome implementations, the vehicle 110 is configured to move across land.For example, the vehicle 110 may include wheels, tracks, and/or treads.In some implementations, the vehicle 110 is configured to fly. Forexample, the vehicle 110 may include wings and/or propellers. In someimplementations, the vehicle 110 is configured to through or across thesurface of water. For example, the vehicle 110 may include a propeller,an impeller, or a pump-jet. The vehicle 110 may include a manual controlinterface 112 that can be used to control the vehicle 110. For example,the manual control interface 112 may include a steering wheel, anaccelerator pedal, and a brake pedal. In some implementations, themanual control interface 112 also controls the operation of theimplement 120. For example, the manual control interface 112 may includeone or more joysticks, levers, and/or buttons for controlling theimplement 120.

The system 100 includes an implement 120 that is connected to thevehicle 110 and configured to selectively perform an operation in avicinity of the vehicle 110. For example, the implement 120 may includea sprayer (e.g., a boom sprayer), a spreader, a harvester, a row cropcultivator, an auger, a plow, a tiller, a backhoe, a forklift, or amower. The implement 120 may include a tool attached to the vehicle todo work. For example, the implement 120 may be connected to the vehicle110 via Power Take Off (PTO) connection. For example, the implement 120may be connected to the vehicle 110 via permanent integration ascomponents of a self-propelled farm implement. For example, theimplement 120 may be primarily controlled via a 3-point hitch attachedto the vehicle or via electronic or hydraulic systems. In someimplementations, the implement 120 (e.g., controlled via a 3-pointhitch) may be rigidly attached to the vehicle and can be raised andlowered to a constant height or a height that changes dynamically. Forexample, dynamic changes may be driven by load on the implement, such asfrom the ground during a tilling operation where the implement ispartially in the ground or via some other sensor feedback on theimplement or from the sensors 140 on the vehicle 110. For example, theimplement 120 can be controlled via hydraulic or electric signaling.These signals may be used to control cutters, sprayers, motors,actuators, engines or any other required system to enable the implement120 to execute a task. In some implementations, the implement 120,(e.g., a boom sprayer) may be actively leveled in real-time based on thetilt angle of the vehicle 110 (e.g., a tractor), which may be controlledwith a closed loop system which includes sensing from the one or moremotion sensors 142 (e.g., an IMU or other level sensing device) and theuses onboard actuators to level the implement 120.

The system 100 includes a processing apparatus 130. The processingapparatus 130 may include one or more processors having single ormultiple processing cores. The processing apparatus 130 may includememory, such as random access memory device (RAM), flash memory, or anyother suitable type of storage device such as a non-transitory computerreadable memory. The memory of the processing apparatus 130 may includeexecutable instructions and data that can be accessed by one or moreprocessors of the processing apparatus 130. For example, the processingapparatus 130 may include one or more DRAM modules such as double datarate synchronous dynamic random-access memory (DDR SDRAM). In someimplementations, the processing apparatus 130 may include a digitalsignal processor (DSP). In some implementations, the processingapparatus 130 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU). In someimplementations, the processing apparatus 130 may include an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC).

The system 100 includes sensors 140 configured to capture sensor datareflecting state of the vehicle 110, the implement 120, and/or anenvironment the vehicle 110 is in. For example, the sensors 140 may beconnected to the vehicle 110 and/or the implement. The processingapparatus 130 may be configured to access (e.g., receive via wired orwireless communications or read from a memory) sensor data capturedusing the sensors 140.

The sensors 140 include one or more motion sensors 142 configured todetect motion of the vehicle 110. For example, the one or more motionsensors 142 may include one or more accelerometers, gyroscopes,magnetometers, inertial measurement units, and/or global position system(GPS) receivers. For example, motion sensor data capturing using the oneor more motion sensors 142 may be used to estimate a position and/or anorientation of the vehicle 110. For example, motion sensor datacapturing using the one or more motion sensors 142 may be used toestimate a position and/or an orientation of the implement 120. Forexample, the processing apparatus 130 may be configured to access (e.g.,receive via wired or wireless communications or read from a memory)motion sensor data captured using the one or more motion sensors 142.

The sensors 140 include one or more image sensors 144 connected to avehicle 110. The one or more image sensors 144 are configured to captureimages (e.g., RGB images or normalized difference vegetation indeximages). The one or more image sensors 144 are configured to detectlight of a certain spectrum (e.g., the visible spectrum or the infraredspectrum) and convey information constituting an image as electricalsignals (e.g., analog or digital signals). For example, the one or moreimage sensors 144 may include charge-coupled devices (CCD) or activepixel sensors in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (CMOS). Theone or more image sensors 144 may detect light incident throughrespective lens (e.g., a fisheye lens). In some implementations, the oneor more image sensors 144 include digital-to-analog converters. In someimplementations, the one or more image sensors 144 have respectivefields of view that overlap. The one or more image sensors 144 may beconfigured to capture images of objects in a vicinity of the vehicle110. For example, the processing apparatus 130 may be configured toreceive image data, captured using the one or more image sensors 144,depicting one or more plants in a vicinity of the vehicle 110. In someimplementations, the one or more images sensors 144 may be configured tocapture light in bands of the spectrum corresponding to plant vitality.For example, the one or more image sensors 144 may include a normalizeddifference vegetation index camera.

The sensors 140 include one or more distance sensors 146 connected tothe vehicle 110. For example, the one or more distance sensors mayinclude a lidar sensor, a radar sensor, a sonar sensor, and/or astructured light sensor. For example, sensor data captured using the oneor more distance sensors 146 may include a three-dimensional point clouddata reflecting the locations of objects in a vicinity of the vehicle110. In some implementations, point cloud data captured using the one ormore distance sensors 146 may be processed and encoded as a voxelizedoccupancy grid. In some implementations, point cloud data captured usingthe one or more distance sensors 146 may be processed and encoded as avoxelized occupancy grid. For example, the processing apparatus 130 maybe configured to access current point cloud data captured using the oneor more distance sensors 146.

The sensors 140 include one or more control feedback sensors 148. Theone or more control feedback sensors 148 may sense a state of thevehicle 110 and/or the implement 120 that is being controlled by theprocessing apparatus 130. In some implementations, the one or morecontrol feedback sensors 148 may provide feedback about the vehiclestate for use by a control system or for system status or healthmonitoring. For example, the one or more control feedback sensors 148may include a speedometer, an encoder (e.g., an optical encoder), and/ora thermometer configured to sense temperature of an engine of thevehicle 110. For example, the one or more control feedback sensors 148may utilize vehicle CAN-Bus integration to measure, vehicle speed,engine speed, fuel levels, and engine health, including but not limitedto oil temp and pressure, coolant temperatures. For example, the one ormore control feedback sensors 148 may include linear and rotary positionsensors, including but not limited to those employing lasers, halleffect, resistor, switches and photogates to obtain position, includingbut not limited to absolute and relative positioning. For example, theone or more control feedback sensors 148 may include current sensors,including but not limited to hall effect and shunt type. For example,the one or more control feedback sensors 148 may include voltagesensors, including but not limited to digital and analog sensors. Forexample, the one or more control feedback sensors 148 may include forcesensors, including but not limited to load cells and integrally mountedstrain gauges. For example, the one or more control feedback sensors 148may include temperature sensors, including but not limited tothermocouples, thermistors and resistance temperature detectors (RTDs).For example, the one or more control feedback sensors 148 may includepressure sensors.

The system 100 includes actuators 150 configured to control motion ofthe vehicle 110 and/or to control operation of the implement 120. Theprocessing apparatus 130 may be configured to control the vehicle and/orthe implement 120 using the actuators 150. In some implementations, theactuators 150 include components that can be mounted and easily removedfrom the vehicle 110. For example, the actuators 150 may includemechanical devices that move parts of the manual control interface 112of the vehicle 110 (e.g., turn a steering wheel, pull a pedal, pull alever, push a joystick, and/or depress a button). For example, theactuators 150 may be connected to the vehicle 110 in a way that allows auser to manually control the vehicle 110 using the manual controlinterface 112, either when the processing apparatus 130 is not activelycontrolling the vehicle 110 or to override control from the processingapparatus 130. For example, the actuators 150 may include electricmotors controlled by the processing apparatus 130. For example, theactuators 150 may include cables connecting electric motors to parts ofthe manual control interface 112 and configured to pull or release thoseparts (e.g., a steering wheel, a pedal, or lever) in response to controlsignals from the processing apparatus 130. In some implementations, theactuators 150 include an interface to a messaging protocol (e.g., avehicle CAN-bus or ISObus) for controlling part of the vehicle 110and/or the implement 120. For example, the actuators 150 may includewires that convey control signals to downstream actuators (e.g., a motoror brakes) or downstream control interfaces (e.g., a steering wheel, alever, a button, a pedal, or a touchscreen).

In some implementations (not shown in FIG. 1), the actuators may beintegrated components of the vehicle 110. For example, the actuators 150may include a motor, a transmission system, and/or brakes of the vehicle110.

For example, the processing apparatus 130 may be configured to access amap data structure storing a map representing locations of physicalobjects in a geographic area; access a path data structure that includesa sequence of waypoints that each specify a position within the map,wherein a waypoint in the sequence of waypoints includes implementcontrol data for operating the implement 120 at a location correspondingto the position of the waypoint; access motion sensor data capturedusing the one or more motion sensors 142; determine, based on the motionsensor data, an estimate of a current location of the vehicle 110;control one or more of the actuators 150 to cause the vehicle 110 tomove from the current location of the vehicle 110 to the locationcorresponding to the position of the waypoint; detect, based on themotion sensor data, when the vehicle 110 arrives at the locationcorresponding to the position of the waypoint; and, responsive to thevehicle 110 arriving at the location corresponding to the position ofthe waypoint, control one or more of the actuators 150, based on theimplement control data of the waypoint, to cause the implement 120 toperform the operation.

For example, the processing apparatus 130 may be configured to access amap data structure storing a map representing locations of physicalobjects in a geographic area; access current point cloud data capturedusing the one or more distance sensors 146; detect a crop row based onthe current point cloud data; match the detected crop row with a croprow represented in the map; determine an estimate of a current locationof the vehicle 110 based on a current position in relation to thedetected crop row; and control one or more of the actuators 150 to causethe vehicle to move from the current location of the vehicle 110 to atarget location.

For example, the processing apparatus 130 may be configured to receiveimage data, captured using the one or more image sensors 144, depictingone or more plants in a vicinity of the vehicle 110; detect the one ormore plants based on the image data; responsive to detecting the one ormore plants, adjust implement control data; and control one or more ofthe actuators 150, based on the adjusted implement control data, tocause the implement 120 to perform the operation on the one or moreplants.

Mapping and Localization

A geographic area (e.g., a farm, a mine, a warehouse, a constructionsite, or another worksite) may be mapped and the resulting map may beused to control motion of a vehicle and/or operation of an implementconnected to the vehicle to perform an operation at a subset oflocations in the geographic area. The current position and/ororientation of the vehicle within the mapped area may be determinedusing a localization process, which may determine an estimate of acurrent position and/or orientation of the vehicle based on motionsensor data. In some implementations, a localization process maydetermine an estimate of a current position and/or orientation of thevehicle based on comparison of image data and/or point cloud datacaptured by sensors connected to the vehicle to corresponding dataassociated with positions in a map.

Mapping

This section presents three examples of map representations that may beused for localization and navigation as well as three techniques tocollect data to create these maps.

A first example of a map representation is a high-resolutionthree-dimensional point cloud map. This map format may have asub-centimeter level resolution. It may be created using fusion of datafrom multiple sensors (e.g., including LiDAR and camera). Sensorconfigurations may be calibrated to facilitate successful fusion of datafrom multiple sensors. For example, the calibration may take intoaccount the lens distortion of the camera as well as the relativeposition of the sensors.

The three-dimensional point cloud map can be built using one or acombination of mapping algorithms. One method is point cloud stitching.One method for point cloud stitching is Iterative Closest Point (ICP).Iterative Closest Point minimizes the difference between two pointclouds, a reference point cloud and a source point cloud, by repeatedlytransforming the source point cloud, comparing it to the reference pointcloud, and selecting the closest transformation. Moving Least Squares(MLS) is another technique for point cloud stitching. This method uses aregression to find the best fit between a reference point cloud and asource point cloud.

The three-dimensional point cloud map may also be created usingsimultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms. These SLAMalgorithms also use LiDAR and cameras to build maps of the environment,but they also utilize other sensors to estimate the location and stateof the robot. For example, sensors used in SLAM may include wheelencoders, inertial measurement units (IMU), and/or ground speed radar.Two examples of SLAM algorithms that can be used to build these mapsinclude Continuous-Time SLAM and Visual Lidar Odometry and Mapping.

The three-dimensional point cloud map representation can be used forlocalization, user visualization, or data analysis. Thethree-dimensional point cloud map representation may be a useful formatfor user visualization. The point cloud may be converted to a mesh,which may be colorized and viewed in a three-dimensional viewer.

From a data analysis perspective, a three-dimensional point-cloud mapcould be used for segmentation and classification. The point cloud datamay be analyzed to determine the location of trees or other features ina local environment of the vehicle.

This map representation can also be used for localization. Thisalgorithm will be discussed further in the localization section below.

A second example of a map representation is a three-dimensionaloccupancy grid. An occupancy grid divides a three-dimensional space intoequally sized voxels, or three-dimensional cubes. Each of these voxelsis given a probability of being occupied between 0 and 1. The occupancygrid is initialized with each cell having an occupancy probability of0.5. In some implementations, as sensor data is collected, the occupancyprobability of each cell may be updated with a Bayes filter. Thespecific voxel size can vary depending on the desired use case and theinput data resolution.

The occupancy grid may be used for path planning and/or localization.When a path is planned, the coordinates of the path can be checkedagainst an occupancy grid to indicate the likelihood of collision toensure safe paths. The occupancy grid can also be used for localization.This algorithm will be discussed further in the localization sectionbelow.

A third example map representation is a feature map. A feature map mayconsist of the x, y position of features as well as their dimensions.For example, these features could include, but are not limited to,trees, driveable lanes in-between trees, headlands, and vineyard rows.The feature map can be generated using several different methods. First,the feature map could be manually created by a user. In someimplementations, a user may use a tool where a georeferenced top-downimage of the field-of-interest is displayed. For example, thegeoreferenced image may come from custom satellite imagery, publicdatasets, or aerial drone footage. From there, the user can markidentifying features, such as trees or lanes. Secondly, the top-downimage could be used to generate feature labels automatically. Forexample, computer vision and machine learning techniques, such asconvolutional neural networks, could be used to identify these featuresand georeference them.

For example, these map representations can be generated using severaltechniques, including data collection via manned and autonomousvehicles. These vehicles may include an unmanned ground vehicle, amanned ground vehicle, a teleoperated drone, or an autonomous drone. Themap data collection vehicles may be equipped with an array ofexteroceptive sensors. For example these exteroceptive sensors couldinclude three-dimensional LiDAR, radar, a single camera, or an array ofcameras (e.g., stereo cameras).

Map-Based Localization

This section provides two examples of techniques for a robot to localizeitself within the environment based on map data. These localizationmethods may vary slightly depending on the map representation.

The first example of a map-based localization technique includes of amulti-stage algorithm. First, the proprioceptive sensors may be fused toprovide a location estimate and covariance. Examples of algorithms thatcan be used for this sensor fusion include the Extended Kalman Filter(EKF) and the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF). Then, N random poses aresampled based on the localization estimate distribution. Then, themeasured perception data is compared to expected perception data for theN random poses, and the estimated pose may be based on a linearcombination of all the poses and their perception-compared likelihood.The comparison algorithms are discussed further below.

The second example of a map-based localization technique does sensorfusion of the proprioceptive and perception sensors in a singlealgorithm. An example algorithm is the particle filter, or any MonteCarlo localization method. These algorithms may estimate N possiblestates of the vehicle. Each state estimate is then updated based on theproprioceptive data acquisition. Then, each state estimate is correctedusing the comparison algorithms discussed below.

Both of the examples of map-based localization techniques describe abovecompare the true/current perception sensor data to the expectedperception sensor data. The techniques generate N possible states forthe robot (e.g., a vehicle with a mounted implement, such as a tractorwith a mounted boom sprayer). For each of these states, the estimatedperception data may be determined based on the map representation. Thisestimated perception data may then be compared to the measuredperception data. This comparison may vary based on the maprepresentation. For a three-dimensional point cloud map representation,the measured and estimated perception data may be compared using adifference between the measured point cloud and an expected point cloud.For an occupancy grid representation, the expected sensor measurements(range and bearing) may be compared to the true measured sensormeasurements. For a feature map representation, the expected positionsof features (e.g., range and bearing to a tree) could be compared to theperceived positions of features.

Path Planning and Navigation

This section describes examples of methods and systems for navigatingagricultural environments with GPS, and methods and systems fornavigating agricultural environments without a GPS signal, and methodsand systems for planning an alternate route around obstacles in aplanned path. In some implementations, an autonomous systems may beenabled to follow a manned vehicle using a camera and visual cue. Insome implementations, a ground vehicle may be configured to pre-record apath and replay that path. In some implementations, available nodes andedges may be identified in an orchard environment where a robot candetermine optimal paths based on varying start and end points. In someimplementations, record and report operational coverage in anagricultural field.

An example of a system has two independent modes of path planning andnavigation: path pre-learning and path following. In the pathpre-learning mode, manual vehicle driving and steering may be used wherethe system is up for GPS, IMU, and radar speed sensor data capture andUnscented Kalman Filter (UKF) based sensor fusion of GPS based vehicleposition, differential vehicle heading, and vehicle speed. In someenvironments, a single sensor may not be sufficiently reliable for amobile robot to accurately perceive its current state (e.g., a GPSsensor might lose signal under dense tree canopy environment, or an IMUheading may drift over time), utilization of multiple sensors and fusionof them may provide significant benefits. For example, nonlinear Kalmanfilter based sensor fusion may be a good technique to fuse multiplesensors for accurate state estimation of a robotic system. The filtermay take input of an over-time series of measurements, which may alsoinclude stochastic noise and false measures, and outputs estimates thatmay be more accurate than a single sensor system does. In someimplementations, a UKF may be used instead of an Extended Kalman Filterbecause of its high reliability in propagating uncertainty through thenonlinear system. For example, the UKF may be configured to takeabsolute x, y positions from the GPS, differential yaw angle from theIMU, and absolute velocity from the radar speed sensor, and provide afiltered odometry that contains corrected x, y positions and heading. Anoutput odometry may be recorded into a system database as a waypoint ofa path data structure to be used for later vehicle navigation. In someimplementations, a waypoint of the path may also include implementcontrol data that specifies how an implement connected to a vehicleshould be operated at a location corresponding to the waypoint.

For example, instead of manual driving and steering the vehicle, thepath may be recorded based on high-resolution images based on atwo-dimensional or three-dimensional map. This technique may utilizeaccurate georeferencing of image coordinates to geographic coordinates.The path may be planned by a user manually drawing on the map image andthe path may then be extracted automatically using an image processingalgorithm. The image based path extraction algorithm detects thestarting point of the drawing and trace from the starting point to theend point. Output of this algorithm may be an ordered list of waypointsin the image coordinate system. Based on the georeferencing informationin the map, the waypoints are converted to geographic coordinate systemaccordingly. In some implementations, no filters are applied in drawnpath technique.

For example, a technique for automatic generation of paths for differentimplements and vehicle settings may be used to generate a path datastructure. For example, this technique may take inputs ofgeo-coordinates of a map boundary, starting location, path direction,row width (e.g., in the case of orchard environment), implementparameters (e.g., including implement width, overlapping ratio betweenimplement runs, and specific control for each type of implement, suchas, mower needs to raise up at turn or sprayer is off at turn), andvehicle parameters (e.g., including vehicle turning radius and vehiclewidth). In some implementations, this technique enables a path to begenerated without a map image and/or without manual effort by a user todraw a path. For example, the output of this technique may be a fullpath to do jobs/operations in the field, where waypoints resolution isone foot, as same as of the aforementioned techniques of manual drivingof the vehicle and the method of manual drawing the path. In someimplementations, no filters are applied in this technique.

For example, in the path following mode, an additional GPS (i.e., anattitude GPS) may be used together with the existing one (i.e., areference GPS) for accurate heading estimation when the vehicle isstationary. Extending the idea of multiple sensor fusion in the pathpre-learning mode, this mode may perform preliminary vehicle movingstate and GPS based heading estimation before fusing the two GPS(s),IMU, radar speed sensor, lidar base perception information using UKF. Inthe vehicle moving state estimation step, GPS based speed (calculatedfrom differential x, y positions) and radar based speed may becross-validated to find out whether the vehicle is stationary or moving.When the vehicle stays still, a heading of the vehicle may be determinedusing single positions of the two GPS(s); otherwise, the heading of thevehicle may be determined based on on two consecutive positions of thereference GPS. Once the GPS based heading is found, it may be fusedtogether with two GPS positions, IMU yaw, radar based speed, andperception based differential yaw to have a filtered odometry. Forexample, in a perception-based differential yaw estimation, trees fromleft and right sides of the vehicle are used as features to determine anestimate of the vehicle heading. When there are no trees detected (e.g.,in a non-orchard environment), the perception information may be omittedfrom the sensor fusion. Based on the waypoints recorded in the pathpre-learning mode, the system may search for a waypoint to minimize thedistance from the current position to that waypoint and plans a route toit based on the current heading. For example, output of this step mayinclude an angle that the vehicle then uses to steer to thecorresponding waypoint autonomously.

While traveling, the vehicle may detect objects on its way using boththree-dimensional and two-dimensional sensors. The system may thendecide whether to stop, go over obstacles (e.g., based on 100%certainty), or plan an alternate route around obstacles. For example, asensing algorithm to plan an alternate route may include estimatingthree-dimensional size of the obstacle, calculating width of the routeto travel, validating width of the vehicle to the route width, andkeeping track of the obstacle. In the first step, three-dimensionalobstacle size may be estimated from the stage of object detection andclassification. In some implementations, when the system hasinsufficient confidence in classification of a detected obstacle,obstacle facial size is the maximum of width and height estimated fromboth three-dimensional and two-dimensional data, and depth of theobstacle is set at infinity until it is figured out. In someimplementations, based on knowledge of tree-row sensing, row width isknown and may be used to estimate width of the route to travel. In thecase this width is not sufficient for the vehicle to go through, thevehicle may stop to wait for human help where collision alarm is off. Incase the width is sufficient, the system may estimate a center line of atravel route and plan a path that is parallel to the upcomingpre-learned path. For example, while moving, the system may keep trackof the location and size of the obstacle. The system may continuouslyupdate the path on the way and rejoin to the pre-learned path when nomore obstacles found in the tracks.

In both path pre-learning and following modes, in-field operations maybe attached to waypoints, i.e. when the path is learned parameters ofimplement controls (e.g., all parameters of the implement controls) maybe recorded together with vehicle locations in the field. For example,in the path following mode, waypoints may be tracked and theircorresponding implement operations may be executed accordingly. Progressof path following and implement operation may be recorded in the currentrun and may be recalled in future runs. For example, interrupts betweenruns may come from system faults, human interference, or stops due toobstacles. The system may be configured to switch to a path restart modewhen the system finds that there is an unfinished job. For example, apath restart algorithm may support path planning based on an existingoccupancy grid map of tree rows as well as permanent obstacles (e.g.barns, houses, or fences) and a recorded path, and may determine correctvehicle heading to come back to the most recent in-field locationrecorded from the last run. For example, a shortest path from currentvehicle location to the most recent location may be determined using A*search on the map. In some implementations, at every run, operationalcoverage in a field is reported as local documents which are laterautomatically uploaded to a central server.

FIG. 2 is flow chart of an example of a process 200 for automaticallycontrolling a vehicle with a mounted implement to perform operations inportions of a geographic area. The process 200 includes accessing 210motion sensor data captured using one or more motion sensors configuredto detect a motion of a vehicle; determining 220, based on the motionsensor data, an estimate of a current location of the vehicle; accessing230 a map data structure storing a map representing locations ofphysical objects in a geographic area; accessing 240 a path datastructure that includes a sequence of waypoints that each specify aposition within the map; controlling 250 one or more actuators to causethe vehicle to move from the current location of the vehicle to thelocation corresponding to the position of the waypoint; detecting 260,based on the motion sensor data, when the vehicle arrives at thelocation corresponding to the position of the waypoint; and, responsiveto the vehicle arriving at the location corresponding to the position ofthe waypoint, controlling, based on implement control data associatedwith the waypoint, the implement to perform an operation. For example,the process 200 may be implemented using the system 100 of FIG. 1.

The process 200 includes accessing 210 motion sensor data captured usingone or more motion sensors (e.g., the one or more motions sensors 142)configured to detect a motion of a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 110). Forexample, the vehicle may be a tractor, a truck, an all-terrain vehicle,a drone, or a boat. For example, the one or more motion sensors may beconnected to the vehicle. For example, the motion sensor data may beaccessed 210 by receiving motion sensor data from the one or moremotions sensors via a bus (e.g., a controller area network (CAN) bus).In some implementations, the motion sensor data may be accessed 210 viaa communications link. For example, the motion sensor data may beaccessed 210 via a wireless or wired communications interface (e.g.,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, Wireless USB, Near Field Communication(NFC), Ethernet, a radio frequency transceiver, and/or otherinterfaces). For example, the motion sensor data may be accessed 210 asan input signal, which may represent a position and/or orientation ordifferential changes in a position and/or orientation in a definedformat, such as in three-dimensional coordinates, an accelerationvector, a tuple of angular rates, a set of Euler angles, and/or aquaternion. In some implementations, the motion sensor data may beaccessed 210 directly from the one or more motion sensors withoutintermediate signal processing. In some implementations, the motionsensor data may be accessed 210 after being subjected to intermediatesignal processing (e.g., low-pass filtering or Kalman filtering to fusedata from multiple sensors to obtain an estimate of a position and/ororientation). In some implementations, the motion sensor data may beaccessed 210 by retrieving the motion sensor data from a memory or otherdata storage apparatus.

The process 200 includes determining 220, based on the motion sensordata, an estimate of a current location of the vehicle. For example, themotion sensor data may include position data from a global positioningsystem (GPS) sensor, and the estimate of the current location of thevehicle may be determined 220 as the being equal to a most recentposition reflected in the position data from a global positioning system(GPS) sensor. For example, the motion sensor data may includeorientation and acceleration measurements from an inertial measurementunit, and the estimate of the current location of the vehicle may bedetermined 220 based on integration of acceleration measurements toupdate a position estimate for the vehicle. For example, the motionsensor data may include data from multiple sensors, and the estimate ofthe current location of the vehicle may be determined 220 usingfiltering (e.g., an unscented Kalman filter) to fuse motion sensor datafrom multiple sensors. For example, localization techniques described inthe map-based localization section above may be implemented to determine220, based (at least in part) on the motion sensor data, an estimate ofa current location of the vehicle. For example, the process 600 of FIG.6 may be implemented to determine 220, based (at least in part) on themotion sensor data, an estimate of a current location of the vehicle.

The process 200 includes accessing 230 a map data structure storing amap representing locations of physical objects in a geographic area. Forexample, the geographic area may include or be part of a farm, a mine, awarehouse, or a construction site. In some implementations, the map datastructure includes data representing abstract objects or overlays, suchas a representation of a geo-fence. In some implementations, the mapdata structure stores a three-dimensional model of the geographic area.For example, the map data structure may include point cloud datarepresenting the positions of objects (e.g., trees or other plants,furrows, buildings, fences, and/or shelves) located in the geographicarea. For example, the map data structure may include athree-dimensional occupancy grid representing likelihoods that positionscorresponding to voxels occupied by an object. For example, the map datastructure may include a feature map, including a list of featurescorresponding to objects with associated locations. In someimplementations, the map data structure stores a two-dimensional modelof the geographic area. For example, the map data structure may beaccessed 230 by receiving map data via a bus. In some implementations,the map data structure may be accessed 230 via a communications link.For example, the map data structure may be accessed 230 via a wirelessor wired communications interface (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI,Wireless USB, Near Field Communication (NFC), Ethernet, a radiofrequency transceiver, and/or other interfaces) from a map server. Insome implementations, the map data structure may be accessed 230 byretrieving the map data from a memory or other data storage apparatus(e.g., memory of the processing apparatus 130 of FIG. 1).

The process 200 includes accessing 240 a path data structure thatincludes a sequence of waypoints that each specify a position within themap. For example, a waypoint in the sequence of waypoints may includeimplement control data for operating an implement (e.g., the implement120) at a location corresponding to the position of the waypoint. Forexample, the implement may be connected to the vehicle and configured toselectively perform an operation in a vicinity of the vehicle. Forexample, the sequence of waypoints may specify a desired path for thevehicle and may also specify how the mounted implement is to be used atvarious locations along the path. For example, the implement controldata may specify how much of an input (e.g., water, fertilizer, or apesticide) should be deposited at a location corresponding to thewaypoint. For example, the implement control data may specify how muchof an input (e.g., water, fertilizer, or a pesticide) should bedeposited (e.g., using a sprayer or spreader) at a locationcorresponding to the waypoint. For example, the implement control datamay specify a depth for a plow that is pulled through a locationcorresponding to the waypoint. In some implementations, the sequence ofwaypoints are regularly spaced along the desired path (e.g., onewaypoint every foot along the path). For example, the path datastructure may include an array or a linked list of waypoint recordsrepresenting respective waypoints in the sequence of waypoints. Forexample, a record for a waypoint may be stored in the format of thewaypoint record 1010 of FIG. 10. For example, the path data structuremay have been generated using the process 300 of FIG. 3. For example,the path data structure may have been generated using the process 400 ofFIG. 4. For example, the path data structure may have been generatedusing the process 500 of FIG. 5. In some implementations, only changesin the implement control data are stored with associated waypoints. Forexample, a first set of implement control data stored with waypoint Amay apply to waypoint A and all subsequent waypoints in the sequence ofwaypoints of the path that lack associated implement control data untilanother waypoint with a second set of implement control data occurs.

The process 200 includes controlling 250 one or more actuators (e.g.,the actuators 150) to cause the vehicle to move from the currentlocation of the vehicle to the location corresponding to the position ofthe waypoint. In some implementations, the one or more actuators may becontrolled to engage parts of a manual control interface (e.g., themanual control interface 112) of the vehicle to cause the vehicle tomove to the next waypoint on the path). For example, a turning angle maybe determined based on the estimate of current location of the vehicle,the location of the waypoint, and an estimate of a current orientationof the vehicle. The turning angle may be used control 250 the one ormore actuators to turn a steering wheel of the vehicle. For example, theone or more actuators may be controlled 250 to pull down an acceleratorpedal of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to be moved forward. In someimplementations, the one or more actuators may bypass a manual controlinterface of the vehicle (e.g., using a controller area network (CAN)bus).

The process 200 includes detecting 260, based on the motion sensor data,when the vehicle arrives at the location corresponding to the positionof the waypoint. For example, an estimate of the current location of thevehicle may be updated based on the motion sensor data as the vehicle ismoves toward the waypoint, and the estimate of the current location maybe compared to the position of the waypoint to detect 260 when thevehicle arrives at the location corresponding to the position of thewaypoint. For example, localization techniques described in themap-based localization section above may be implemented to detect 260,based (at least in part) on the motion sensor data, when the vehiclearrives at the location corresponding to the position of the waypoint.

The process 200 includes, responsive to the vehicle arriving at thelocation corresponding to the position of the waypoint, controlling 270,based on the implement control data of the waypoint, the implement(e.g., the implement 120) to perform an operation. In someimplementations, the implement is configured to selectively depositinput (e.g., water, fertilizer, or pesticide) in a vicinity of thevehicle, and, responsive to the vehicle arriving at the locationcorresponding to the position of the waypoint, the implement iscontrolled 270, based on the implement control data of the waypoint, todeposit an input in a vicinity of the vehicle. For example, the vehiclemay be a tractor and the implement may be a sprayer (e.g., a boomsprayer). For example, the vehicle may be a tractor and the implementmay be a tillage implement (e.g., a plow). For example, the implementcontrol data may specify an amount of input to be deposited (e.g.,sprayed or spread) at the location corresponding to the waypoint. Insome implementations, the implement is configured to selectively collectoutput (e.g., a crop such as apples, grapes, or tomatoes) in a vicinityof the vehicle, and, responsive to the vehicle arriving at the locationcorresponding to the position of the waypoint, the implement iscontrolled 270, based on the implement control data of the waypoint, tocollect an output in a vicinity of the vehicle. For example, theimplement control data may indicate whether output will be collected(e.g., using a harvester implement) at the location corresponding to thewaypoint. In some implementations, the process 900 of FIG. 9 may beimplemented to dynamically adjust, based on current image sensor data(e.g., including normalized difference vegetation index data for plantsnear the waypoint), implement control data for the waypoint, and use thedynamically adjusted implement control data to control 270 the implement(e.g., the implement 120) to perform the operation.

FIG. 3 is flow chart of an example of a process 300 for generating apath data structure based on localization data collected during ademonstration run. The process 300 includes determining 310 localizationdata based on motion data from one or more motion sensors collectedwhile a user manually controls the vehicle and the implement; recording320 implement control data associated with positions in the localizationdata; and generating 330 the path data structure based on thelocalization data and the associated implement control data. Forexample, the process 300 may be implemented using the system 100 of FIG.1.

The process 300 includes determining 310 localization data based onmotion data from the one or more motion sensors collected while a usermanually controls the vehicle and the implement. For example, thelocalization data may include a sequence of positions within a map of ageographic area (e.g., a farm, a mine, a warehouse, or a constructionsite). For example, the motion sensor data may include position datafrom a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, and the localization datamay be determined 310 based on this position data. For example, themotion sensor data may include orientation and acceleration measurementsfrom an inertial measurement unit, and localization data may bedetermined 310 based on integration of acceleration measurements toupdate a position estimate for the vehicle. For example, the motionsensor data may include data from multiple sensors, and the localizationdata may be determined 310 using filtering (e.g., an unscented Kalmanfilter) to fuse motion sensor data from multiple sensors. For example,localization techniques described in the map-based localization sectionabove may be implemented to determine 310, based (at least in part) onthe motion sensor data, the localization data for the vehicle.

The process 300 includes recording 320 implement control data associatedwith positions in the localization data. For example, implement controldata may specify control signals manually applied (e.g., using a manualcontrol interface) to the implement (e.g., the implement 120) by userwhile the vehicle was at a location associated with a position in thelocalization data. This implement control data may be recorded 320 in amanner that associates the implement control data with one or morecorresponding positions in the localization data. For example, theimplement control data and the localization data may be timesynchronized (e.g., using time stamps with a common time base or byrunning a phase locked loop to synchronize the positions of thelocalization data with implement control data).

The process 300 includes generating 330 the path data structure based onthe localization data and the associated implement control data. Forexample, the path may include a sequence of waypoints that arerepresented by corresponding waypoint records of the path datastructure. In some implementations, waypoints of the path are regularlyspaced along the path and the positions of the waypoints are selectedfrom among the positions in the localization data to achieve thisspacing. A waypoint record may be generated 330 for each waypoint of thepath. The waypoint records may include coordinates of a selectedposition in the localization data. A waypoint record may also includeimplement control data that has been associated (e.g., using timesynchronization) with the position in the localization data of thewaypoint. For example, the generated 330 path data structure may includethe waypoint record 1010 of FIG. 10. For example, the generated 330 pathdata structure may be stored in a memory of the processing apparatus 130of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is flow chart of an example of a process 400 for generating apath data structure based on a drawing on a map. The process 400includes presenting 410 the map to a user in a user interface thatenables the user to draw a path for the vehicle on the map; receiving420 data specifying the drawn path; and generating 430 the path datastructure based on the drawn path. For example, the process 400 may beimplemented using the system 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the process 400may be implemented using a personal computing device (e.g., asmartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a desktop computer).

The process 400 includes presenting 410 the map to a user in a userinterface (e.g., a webpage) that enables the user to draw a path for thevehicle on the map. For example, the map may be presented 410 as animage. In some implementations, the map may be presented 410 as an imagereflecting a two-dimensional projection or slice (e.g., abirds-eye-view) of a three-dimensional map (e.g., a map including pointcloud data). For example, a processing apparatus may present 410 the mapby displaying the user interface using a locally connected displaydevice (e.g., a touchscreen). In some implementations, a processingapparatus may present 410 the map by transmitting (e.g., via a wirelessnetwork) data encoding the user interface (e.g., a webpage) to a user,who may receive, view, and interact with the map using a personalcomputing device.

The process 400 includes receiving 420 data specifying the drawn path.For example, the path may be drawn (e.g., using a touchscreen or amouse) on an image representation of the map in the user interface(e.g., a webpage). For example, data specifying the drawn path mayinclude a sequence coordinates within the presented 410 map. Forexample, the user may also associate implement control data with pointsalong the drawn path (e.g., using a color coding scheme with a drop-downmenu to select an implement control setting with an associated color).In some implementations, the data specifying the path is received 420via a bus. In some implementations, the data specifying the path isreceived 420 via a wireless network (e.g., a WiFi network or a cellulardata network).

The process 400 includes generating 430 the path data structure based onthe drawn path. For example, the path may include a sequence ofwaypoints that are represented by corresponding waypoint records of thepath data structure. In some implementations, waypoints of the path areregularly spaced along the path and the positions of the waypoints areselected from among the positions in the data specifying the drawn pathdata to achieve this spacing. A waypoint record may be generated 430 foreach waypoint of the path. The waypoint records may include coordinatesof a selected position in the data specifying the drawn path. A waypointrecord may also include implement control data that has been associated(e.g., using color coding) with the position in the data specifyingdrawn path of the waypoint. For example, the generated 430 path datastructure may include the waypoint record 1010 of FIG. 10. For example,the generated 430 path data structure may be stored in a memory of theprocessing apparatus 130 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is flow chart of an example of a process 500 for generating apath data structure based on a boundary and a coverage objective. Theprocess 500 includes receiving 510 boundary data specifying an areawithin the map; receiving 520 data specifying parameters of the vehicleand/or the implement; and generating 530 the path data structure basedon the map and the boundary data. For example, the process 500 may beimplemented using the system 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the process 500may be implemented using a personal computing device (e.g., asmartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a desktop computer).

The process 500 includes receiving 510 boundary data specifying an areawithin a map. For example, the boundary data may include a sequence ofvertices of a polygon (e.g., a rectangle or hexagon) corresponding tothe area in a two-dimensional representation of the map. In someimplementations, the polygon may be specified in a plane of atwo-dimensional slice or projection of a three-dimensional map. In someimplementations, a user may utilize a user interface, similar to theuser interfaces described in relation to FIG. 4, draw the boundary ofthe area on a presented representation of the map. In someimplementations, the boundary data specifying the area is received 510via a bus. In some implementations, the boundary data specifying thearea is received 510 via a wireless network (e.g., a WiFi network or acellular data network).

The process 500 includes receiving 520 data specifying parameters of avehicle (e.g., the vehicle 110) and/or an implement (e.g., the implement120). For example, the received 520 parameters of the vehicle mayinclude the width of the vehicle and/or a turning radius of the vehicle.For example, the received 520 parameters of the implement may include animplement width, an overlapping ratio between implement runs, andspecific control for each type of implement, such as, mower needs toraise up at turn or sprayer is off at turns. In some implementations,the data specifying parameters of the vehicle and/or the implement isreceived 520 via a bus (e.g., from an input/output peripheral or from alocal memory). In some implementations, the data specifying parametersof the vehicle and/or the implement is received 520 via a wirelessnetwork (e.g., a WiFi network or a cellular data network).

The process 500 includes generating 530 the path data structure based onthe map and the boundary data. For example, the path may include asequence of waypoints that are represented by corresponding waypointrecords of the path data structure. In some implementations, waypointsof the path are regularly spaced along the path and the positions of thewaypoints are selected from among the positions in the area to achievethis spacing and coverage objective for the area. For example, acoverage objective may be to completely cover the area using theimplement. For example, a coverage objective may be traverse all croprows within the area that are represented in the map. For example,dynamic programming or another optimization algorithm may be implementedto generate 530 the path as a sequence of waypoints to achieve thecoverage objective subject to additional constraints, includingconstraints based on the data specifying the parameters of the vehicle(e.g., turning radius) and the implement (e.g., implement width). Awaypoint record may be generated 530 for each waypoint of the path. Thewaypoint records may include coordinates of a selected position in thearea. A waypoint record may also include implement control dataassociated with the position in the area of the waypoint, which may beinferred based on map data for the position and the objective. Forexample, the generated 530 path data structure may include the waypointrecord 1010 of FIG. 10. For example, the generated 530 path datastructure may be stored in a memory of the processing apparatus 130 ofFIG. 1.

In some implementations, control data or instructions for an implement(e.g., a sprayer or a plow) attached to a vehicle (e.g., a tractor) areassociated with discrete waypoints (e.g., GPS waypoints) along aprogrammed path for the vehicle. In some implementations, control dataor instructions for an implement may be integrating into a map in a maplayer covering an operational area. For example, such a map layer mightinclude different zones drawn by a user which would trigger differentimplement controls. For example, a particular region of crop might beaffected by disease and require a certain prescription of pesticide. Inthis example scenario, an affected zone might be drawn or selected in amap layer and used to precisely apply pesticide via a tractor-pulledsprayer on the ground only in the affected zone. In someimplementations, a map layer may associate stationary features on themap to a set of instructions or prescriptions for an implement. Forexample, the trees in a map of an orchard might be classified and taggedsuch that when the vehicle observes or is within a certain vicinity ofthe feature, the implement will operate per the prescription associatedwith those features in the map layer. With this technique, implementcontrol instructions can be assigned on a per-plant level and can followa time and/or event-based model. Some techniques may differ from thepath-based implement controls in that the path for the vehicle andnavigation is not linked directly to the implement control. Instead thevehicle may recognize features (e.g., plants) as it navigates andcontrol a connected implement accordingly based on those featuresperceived.

Classification of Environmental Landmarks and Obstacles

This section describes examples of methods and systems for real-timeclassification of trees and vegetation using point cloud data. In someimplementations, dense lidar data may be filtered to classify trees inan orchard to reduce computation requirements on a vehicle. In someimplementations, trees are classified based on image data from a camera.In some implementations, lanes in-between trees may be identified. Insome implementations, obstacles in a planned path may be identifiedusing a lidar sensor and a camera. In some implementations, obstaclesare detected, and notification is relayed via video feed to a userinterface.

This section presents two major examples of techniques to detectenvironmental landmarks for vehicle navigation and/or to classifyon-the-way obstacles so that the vehicle is able to automaticallyrespond accordingly. The first technique is based on three-dimensionalpoint cloud input which is captured using a lidar sensor to detect treesalong traveling direction. For example, the point cloud may includethousands of x, y, z points that represent forward/backward, left/right,and up/down sensing directions with respect to where the sensor islocated, respectively. In some implementations, the point cloud isprogrammatically cropped to an x, y, z range to fit to dynamic movementof the vehicle. This cropping may serve to eliminate or mitigateenvironmental noise (e.g., human or non-tree objects in unnecessarilyout-of-observation areas in the field) as well as to increase processingperformance. For example, trees may be presumably considered individualclusters of points in the point cloud. For example, trees may bedetected using a three-dimensional point cloud based Euclidean clusterextraction algorithm. For example, a clustering algorithm may make useof a three-dimensional fixed-width box based octree data structure tofast search nearest point neighbors for congregation purpose. In someimplementations, this algorithm is executed in a defined z range chosento detect tree trunks exclusively. For example, tree trunks, rather thantree canopies, may be considered environmental landmarks because oftheir much less complex structure which may lead to better detectionresults and faster processing time for real-time vehicle navigation.

The second major example of a technique for classification of obstaclesis based on both three-dimensional point cloud and two-dimensional colorimage data. The three-dimensional data may be used to quickly detectwhether there is an obstacle on the way and act safely as it takes acertain amount of time for the vehicle to fully stop. Thethree-dimensional based obstacle detection technique may befundamentally based on the aforementioned Euclidean cluster extractionalgorithm, but it may aim for objects right in front of the vehicleinstead. As it takes time to recognize exactly what an obstacle is, thetwo-dimensional color image based method may run in a parallel manner tothe three-dimensional based one. Once the object is identified with anestimated three-dimensional size using a neural network based real-timeobject detection algorithm, the vehicle may be programmed to stopcompletely for the objects like rocks, human, trees, fences, or othervehicles, or go over the unharmed and non-dangerous objects like grass,weeds, dust, or hays. The recognition system may be designed for a highrate of safety so when there is uncertainty of object classification(e.g., the object needs to be recognized with 100% confidence or above acertain predetermined threshold level of confidence), the vehicle may bestopped or planned to follow a path that goes around the object. Boththree-dimensional and two-dimensional techniques may incorporate wheelturning angle to vehicle traveling direction for precise detection ofin-front objects.

For example, the two-dimensional image based technique may also be usedto detect trees, in the same manner as detecting on-the-way obstacles,to incorporate to the three-dimensional point cloud based environmentallandmarks recognition and to improve robustness of tree-row detection.The incorporation of the two sensors may improve performance of anobject sensing system because the three-dimensional sensor alone may beconfused by crooked tree trunks as well as complex tree canopystructures (e.g., tree canopy covers tree trunk) and the two-dimensionalsensor alone may lack distance-to-sensor knowledge of the environment.For example, precise calibration of the three-dimensional lidar sensorand two-dimensional color camera may be performed such that eachthree-dimensional point can be accessed together with its colorinformation, which is significantly helpful for integration ofthree-dimensional clustering algorithm and neural network learning basedobject recognition. In some implementations, an object sensing system isbased on the motion estimated by odometry fusion of both sensors, whichmay support targetless and automatic calibration, also called in-runcalibration. This technique may be particularly useful for highvibrational environment like a tractor.

FIG. 6 is flow chart of an example of a process 600 for automatedlocalization of a vehicle in an agricultural environment. The process600 includes accessing 610 current point cloud data captured using adistance sensor connected to a vehicle; detecting 620 a crop row basedon the current point cloud data; accessing 630 a map data structurestoring a map representing locations of physical objects in a geographicarea; matching 640 the detected crop row with a crop row represented inthe map; determining 650 an estimate of a current location of thevehicle based on a current position in relation to the detected croprow; and controlling 660 one or more actuators to cause the vehicle tomove from the current location of the vehicle to a target location. Forexample, the process 600 may be implemented using the system 100 of FIG.1.

The process 600 includes accessing 610 current point cloud data capturedusing a distance sensor (e.g., the one or more distance sensors 146)connected to a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 110). For example, the vehiclemay be a tractor, a truck, an all-terrain vehicle, a drone, or a boat.For example, the current point cloud data may be accessed 610 byreceiving point cloud data from the distance sensor via a bus (e.g., acontroller area network (CAN) bus). In some implementations, the currentpoint cloud data may be accessed 610 via a communications link. Forexample, the current point cloud data may be accessed 610 via a wirelessor wired communications interface (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI,Wireless USB, Near Field Communication (NFC), Ethernet, a radiofrequency transceiver, and/or other interfaces). For example, currentpoint cloud data may be accessed 610 as an input signal, which mayrepresent time of flight data for light projected at a given angle fromthe distance sensor and received as a reflection. In someimplementations, the current point cloud data may be accessed 610directly from the distance sensor without intermediate signalprocessing. In some implementations, the current point cloud data may beaccessed 610 after being subjected to intermediate signal processing(e.g., low-pass filtering or conversion to a three-dimensional occupancygrid). In some implementations, the current point cloud data may beaccessed 610 by retrieving the current point cloud data from a memory orother data storage apparatus.

The process includes detecting 620 a crop row based on the current pointcloud data. For example, detecting 620 a crop row may include performingEuclidean cluster extraction, least squares fitting of plant (e.g. tree)locations, outlier tree removal, and/or associating detected plants in acrop row. For example, the crop row may be a row of trees. For example,the crop row may be a row of vines (e.g. grape vines).

The process includes accessing 630 a map data structure storing a maprepresenting locations of physical objects in a geographic area. Forexample, the geographic area may include or be part of a farm, a mine, awarehouse, or a construction site. In some implementations, the map datastructure stores a three-dimensional model of the geographic area. Forexample, the map data structure may include point cloud datarepresenting the positions of objects (e.g., trees or other plants,furrows, buildings, fences, and/or shelves) located in the geographicarea. For example, the map data structure may include athree-dimensional occupancy grid representing likelihoods that positionscorresponding to voxels occupied by an object. For example, the map datastructure may be accessed 630 by receiving map data via a bus. In someimplementations, the map data structure may be accessed 630 via acommunications link. For example, the map data structure may be accessed630 via a wireless or wired communications interface (e.g., Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, Wireless USB, Near Field Communication (NFC),Ethernet, a radio frequency transceiver, and/or other interfaces) from amap server. In some implementations, the map data structure may beaccessed 630 by retrieving the map data from a memory or other datastorage apparatus (e.g., memory of the processing apparatus 130 of FIG.1).

The process 600 includes matching 640 the detected crop row with a croprow represented in the map. For example, matching 640 the detected croprow with a crop row represented in the map may include comparing thecurrent point cloud data corresponding to the detected row to expectedpoint cloud data for nearby crop rows represented in the map. In someimplementations, matching 640 the detected crop row with a crop rowrepresented in the map may include determining cross-correlations of anoccupancy grid based on the current point cloud with occupancy gridbased map data reflecting the presence of one or more nearby crop rowsin the map data. For example, a crop row from the map data thatmaximizes the cross-correlation may be identified as the detected croprow and used for georeferencing the detected crop row. In someimplementations, N candidate states (e.g., position and orientation orpose) for the vehicle with a mounted implement (e.g., a tractor with amounted boom sprayer) are selected and an expected point cloud data foreach candidate state is determined based on the map data. This expectedpoint cloud data may then be compared to the current point cloud data.For example, the comparison may include determining a difference betweenthe current point cloud and the expected point cloud of a candidatestate. For example, the detected crop row may be matched 640 with a croprow represented in the map by finding a candidate pose with a low valueof this difference of the current point cloud and the expected pointcloud and identifying the corresponding crop row of the map based on theselected candidate pose and current point cloud data.

The process 600 includes determining 650 an estimate of a currentlocation of the vehicle based on a current position in relation to thedetected crop row. For example, the detected 620 crop row may begeoreferenced based on the matched 640 crop row represented in the map,and the estimate of the current location of the vehicle may in turn bedetermined 650 based on a relative position (e.g., derived directly fromthe point cloud data from the distance sensor) of the vehicle to thegeoreferenced detected 620 crop row. For example, localizationtechniques described in the map-based localization section above may beimplemented to determine 650, based (at least in part) on a currentposition in relation to the detected crop row, an estimate of a currentlocation of the vehicle. In some implementations, the process 800 ofFIG. 8 may be implemented to determine the estimate of the currentlocation of the vehicle based on a furrow detected in the current pointcloud data. For example an estimate of the current position of thevehicle may be determined as an average (e.g., a weighted average) of anestimate based on a detected crop row and an estimate based on adetected furrow.

The process 600 includes controlling 660 one or more actuators (e.g.,the actuators 150) to cause the vehicle to move from the currentlocation of the vehicle to a target location (e.g., a next waypoint in apath). In some implementations, the one or more actuators may becontrolled to engage parts of a manual control interface (e.g., themanual control interface 112) of the vehicle to cause the vehicle tomove to the target location. For example, a turning angle may bedetermined based on the estimate of current location of the vehicle, thelocation of the target location, and an estimate of a currentorientation of the vehicle. The turning angle may be used control 660the one or more actuators to turn a steering wheel of the vehicle. Forexample, the one or more actuators may be controlled 660 to pull down anaccelerator pedal of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to be movedforward. In some implementations, the one or more actuators may bypass amanual control interface of the vehicle (e.g., using a controller areanetwork (CAN) bus).

In some implementations, the filtering 710 techniques described inrelation to FIG. 7 may be applied to the current point cloud data tosimplify the operations of detecting 620 and/or matching 640 thedetected crop row to crop row in the map.

FIG. 7 is flow chart of an example of a process 700 for filtering pointcloud data from an agricultural environment for localization analysis.The process 700 includes filtering 710 the current point cloud data toconsider only points in a zone of interest; detect 720 a drop row in thefiltered current point cloud data; comparing 730 the current point clouddata to point cloud data of the map that is selected based on the motionsensor data; and match 740 the detected 720 crop row to a crop row inthe map based on the comparisons of point cloud data. For example, theprocess 700 may be implemented using the system 100 of FIG. 1.

The process 700 includes filtering 710 the current point cloud data toconsider only points in a zone of interest when comparing the currentpoint cloud data to point cloud data of the map. For example, filtering710 the point cloud data may include cropping the point cloud data tothe zone of interest. For example, the zone of interest may limited to arange of heights (e.g., from 1 foot above the ground to 4 feet above theground) and a maximum distance (e.g., 10 meters or 20 meters) from thevehicle. In some implementations, the current point cloud data isfiltered 710 to consider only points in the zone of interest whencomparing 730 the current point cloud data to point cloud data of themap to match 740 the detected crop row with the crop row represented inthe map. In some implementations, the zone of interest may be selectedto focus on the trunks of trees, instead of the canopies of the trees.The filtering 710 of the point cloud data may reduce noise and reducecomputational complexity of operations to detect 720 crop rows and match740 them to crop rows represented in a map.

The process 700 includes detecting 720 a crop row based on the filteredcurrent point cloud data. For example, detecting 720 a crop row mayinclude performing Euclidean cluster extraction, least squares fittingof plant (e.g. tree) locations, outlier tree removal, and/or associatingdetected plants in a crop row. For example, the crop row may be a row oftrees. For example, the crop row may be a row of vines (e.g. grapevines).

The process 700 includes comparing 730 the current point cloud data topoint cloud data of the map that is selected based on motion sensordata. For example, the motion sensor data may have been captured usingone or more motion sensors (e.g., the one or more motion sensors 142)that are connected to the vehicle. For example, of a map-basedlocalization technique may include of a multi-stage algorithm. First,proprioceptive sensors, including the one or more motion sensors, may befused to provide a location estimate and covariance. Examples ofalgorithms that can be used for this sensor fusion include the ExtendedKalman Filter (EKF) and the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF). Then, Nrandom poses may be sampled based on the localization estimatedistribution. Then, the measured perception data may be compared 730 toexpected perception data from the map for the N random poses. Forexample, for each of these N random poses, the estimated perception datamay be determined based on the map representation. This estimatedperception data may then be compared to the measured perception data.For example, measured and estimated perception data may be comparedusing a difference between the measured point cloud and the expectedpoint cloud.

The process 700 includes matching 740 the detected 720 crop row to acrop row in the map based on the comparisons of point cloud data. Forexample, the detected crop row may be matched 740 with a crop rowrepresented in the map by finding a candidate pose with a low value of adifference of the current point cloud and its expected point cloud andidentifying the corresponding crop row of the map based on the selectedcandidate pose and current point cloud data. For example, an estimate ofthe current location of the vehicle may then be determined based on thecomparison of the current point cloud data to point cloud data of themap (e.g., by georeferencing the detected 720 and matched 740 crop rowin the current point cloud data.

FIG. 8 is flow chart of an example of a process 800 for localizing avehicle in an agricultural environment. The process 800 includesdetecting 810 a furrow in the ground based on current point cloud data;matching 820 the detected furrow with a furrow represented in the map;and determining 830 an estimate of the current location of the vehiclebased on a current position in relation to the detected furrow. Forexample, the process 800 may be implemented using the system 100 of FIG.1.

The process 800 includes detecting 810 a furrow in the ground based onthe current point cloud data. For example, the furrow may be long trenchin the ground between crop rows (e.g., formed by wheels of a tractor).For example, detecting 810 the crop row may include performing Euclideancluster extraction.

The process 800 includes matching 820 the detected furrow with a furrowrepresented in the map. For example, matching 820 the detected furrowwith a furrow represented in the map may include comparing the currentpoint cloud data corresponding to the detected furrow to expected pointcloud data for nearby furrows represented in the map. In someimplementations, matching 820 the detected furrow with a furrowrepresented in the map may include determining cross-correlations of anoccupancy grid based on the current point cloud with occupancy gridbased map data reflecting the presence of one or more nearby furrows inthe map data. For example, a furrow from the map data that maximizes thecross-correlation may be identified as the detected furrow and used forgeoreferencing the detected furrow. In some implementations, N candidatestates (e.g., position and orientation or pose) for the vehicle with amounted implement (e.g., a tractor with a mounted boom sprayer) areselected and an expected point cloud data for each candidate state isdetermined based on the map data. This expected point cloud data maythen be compared to the current point cloud data. For example, thecomparison may include determining a difference between the currentpoint cloud and the expected point cloud of a candidate state. Forexample, the detected furrow may be matched 820 with a furrowrepresented in the map by finding a candidate pose with a low value ofthis difference of the current point cloud and the expected point cloudand identifying the corresponding furrow of the map based on theselected candidate pose and current point cloud data.

The process 800 includes determining 830 the estimate of the currentlocation of the vehicle based on a current position in relation to thedetected furrow. For example, the detected 810 furrow may begeoreferenced based on the matched 820 furrow represented in the map,and the estimate of the current location of the vehicle may in turn bedetermined 830 based on a relative position (e.g., derived directly fromthe point cloud data from the distance sensor) of the vehicle to thegeoreferenced detected 810 furrow. For example, localization techniquesdescribed in the map-based localization section above may be implementedto determine 830, based (at least in part) on a current position inrelation to the detected furrow, an estimate of a current location ofthe vehicle.

Smart Implement Control

Implement control may be handled by the control systems describedelsewhere in this document. Here, smart implement control refers tomodifying the standard implement behavior because of inputs from thesensing system from a baseline system performance. This may includeusing any or all sensors described as potentially part of the system.Smart implement control functionality may allow sensor data to be fusedwith crop models (described in the crop models section) to modifyimplement behavior, which may save time or inputs on jobs and therebyincrease efficiency.

In some implementations, a system (e.g., the system 100 of FIG. 1) canalso be used to forecast new required jobs based on crop performance. Inthis way the system allows users to increase yield by tending better toland under cultivation.

Some examples of types of ways system could be used are as follows.

For example, an autonomous spraying system that utilizes front and/orside facing sensors to detect the presence and physical profile of treesand vegetation that individually controls nozzles to direct a range ofspray. In some implementations, a spray rig; which could include a boomsprayer, air blast sprayer, or self-propelled sprayer; would beretrofitted with individual control nozzles, allowing for variable rateand autonomous spraying. For example, perception system (e.g., includingthe sensors 140) on a tractor identifies the target spray area and onlyactivates nozzles which spray said area thus reducing the total amountof spray applied. Additionally, using the vehicle speed and vegetationtracking via the perception system, input flow rate through the nozzlescan be adjusted to precisely apply and adjust the necessary amount ofinput as a function of the vehicles motion and position in a geographicregion (e.g., a farm field).

For example, a camera (e.g., multispectral, hyperspectral, and/orstandard) and machine learning may be used for crop identification,disease detection, crop counting, and yield estimation.

FIG. 9 is flow chart of an example of a process 900 for dynamicallyadjusting implement control for an implement connected to a vehicle inan agricultural environment. The process 900 includes receiving 910image data, captured using one or more image sensors connected to avehicle, depicting one or more plants in a vicinity of the vehicle;detecting 920 the one or more plants based on the image data; responsiveto detecting the one or more plants, adjusting 930 implement controldata; and controlling 940, based on the adjusted implement control data,an implement connected to the vehicle to perform an operation on the oneor more plants. For example, the process 800 may be implemented usingthe system 100 of FIG. 1.

The process 900 includes receiving 910 image data, captured using one ormore image sensors (e.g., the one or more image sensors 144) connectedto a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 110), depicting one or more plants in avicinity of the vehicle. For example, plants may include trees (e.g.,apple trees, lemon trees, or cherry trees), vines (e.g., grape vines),or other plants (e.g., tomato plants, potato plants, or squash plants).In some implementations, the one or more images sensors may beconfigured to capture light in bands of the spectrum corresponding toplant vitality. For example, the one or more image sensors may include anormalized difference vegetation index camera connected to the vehicle.In some implementations, receiving 910 the image data includes receiving910 normalized difference vegetation index data, captured using thenormalized difference vegetation index camera, for the one or moreplants. For example, the image data may include RGB images and/ornormalized difference vegetation index data. For example, the image datamay be received 910 from the one or more image sensors via a bus (e.g.,a controller area network (CAN) bus). In some implementations, the imagedata may be received 910 via a communications link. For example, theimage data may be received 910 via a wireless or wired communicationsinterface (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, Wireless USB, Near FieldCommunication (NFC), Ethernet, a radio frequency transceiver, and/orother interfaces). For example, the image data may be received 910 as aninput signal, which may represent each pixel value in a defined format,such as in a RAW image format or a YUV image format. In someimplementations, the image data may be received 910 directly from theone or more image sensors without intermediate signal processing. Insome implementations, the image data may be received 910 after beingsubjected to intermediate signal processing (e.g., low-pass filtering,lens distortion correction, spatial noise reduction and/or temporalnoise reduction).

The process 900 includes detecting 920 the one or more plants based onthe image data. For example, computer vision processing (e.g., using aconvolutional neural network) may be implemented to detect and/orclassify the one or more plants. In some implementations, point clouddata from a distance sensor (e.g., a lidar sensor) may also be used tohelp detect and/or classify the one or more plants.

The process 900 includes, responsive to detecting the one or moreplants, adjusting 930 implement control data. For example, the implementcontrol data that is adjusted 930 may be accessed in a waypoint recordof a path data structure (e.g., the waypoint record 1010). In someimplementations, adjusting 930 the implement control data includesadjusting an amount of input (e.g., water, fertilizer, or pesticide) tobe deposited on the one or more plants based on the normalizeddifference vegetation index data. For example, an amount of inputscheduled for deposit (e.g., spraying spreading, or planting) invicinity of the vehicle (e.g. near a waypoint of a path) may beincreased when difference vegetation index data for the one or plants inthe vicinity indicate the one or plants are already struggling. Forexample, an amount of input scheduled for deposit (e.g., sprayingspreading, or planting) in vicinity of the vehicle (e.g. near a waypointof a path) may be decreased when difference vegetation index data forthe one or plants in the vicinity indicate the one or plants are alreadythriving. In some implementations, adjusting 930 the implement controldata includes adjusting an amount of input (e.g., water, fertilizer, orpesticide) to be deposited on the one or more plants based on a count ofplants in the vicinity of the vehicle. In some implementations, theimplement control data may be adjusted 930 based on a count of the oneor more plants detected 920 in the vicinity of the vehicle. In someimplementations, the implement control data may be adjusted 930 to focusan operation (e.g., depositing input) on the one or more plants withinthe vicinity. In some implementations, the implement (e.g., a harvester)is configured to selectively collect output (e.g., crops such as apples,grapes, or tomatoes) in a vicinity of the vehicle.

The process 900 includes controlling 940, based on the adjustedimplement control data, an implement connected to the vehicle to performan operation on the one or more plants. For example, the process 900 mayinclude controlling 940, based on the adjusted implement control data,the implement to deposit an input (e.g., water, fertilizer, orpesticide) on the one or more plants. For example, the process 900 mayinclude controlling 940, based on the adjusted implement control data,the implement to collect an output (e.g., apples, grapes, or tomatoes)from the one or more plants. For example, the vehicle may be a tractorand the implement may be a boom sprayer.

FIG. 10 is a memory map showing an example format for a waypoint record1010 of a path data structure that may be used to facilitate automaticcontrol of a vehicle with a mounted implement to perform operations inportions of a geographic area. The waypoint record 1010 stores dataconcerning a waypoint that is one of a series if waypoints in a path forvehicle (e.g., the vehicle 110) with a mounted implement (e.g., theimplement 120) for performing an operation. For example, the waypointrecord 1010 may be one of many waypoint records included in a path datastructure. The waypoint record includes waypoint coordinates 1012, whichmay specify a position within a map that corresponds to a location in ageographic area represented by the map. For example, the waypointcoordinates may be a pair coordinates in two dimensions (e.g., x and yor east and north). In some implementations, the waypoint coordinatesmay be a three-tuple of coordinates in three dimensions (e.g., (x, y, z)or (east, north, altitude)).

This waypoint record 1010 includes implement control data 1014 thatspecifies how the implement should be controlled at a locationcorresponding to the waypoint of the waypoint record 1010. For example,the implement control data may indicate an amount of input (e.g., water,fertilizer, or pesticide) to deposit at a location corresponding to thewaypoint. For example, the implement control data may indicate whetherto collect (e.g., harvest) output (e.g., crops) from a locationcorresponding to the waypoint. In some implementations (not shown inFIG. 10) some of the waypoint records of a path data structure may lackimplement control data. For example, to save memory, implement controldata for a previous waypoint in the sequence of waypoints of the pathmay implicitly apply to subsequent waypoints that lack explicitimplement control data of their own. In some implementations, onlychanges in the implement control data are recorded, and these changesare associated with the first waypoint in the sequence at which theyapply.

In this example, the waypoint record 1010 is part of a path datastructure that includes a linked list of waypoint records for waypointsin a sequence of waypoints of the path. The waypoint record 1010includes a next waypoint pointer 1016 that points to waypoint record forthe next waypoint in the sequence of waypoints of the path. In someimplementations (not shown in FIG. 10), a path data structure may beimplemented as an ordered array or waypoint records that lack nextpointers.

Methods and Systems for Autonomous Vehicles

Examples of autonomous vehicle platforms are described that areconfigured to map, navigate, and control attached agriculturalimplements. Some implementations include a sensor-based perceptionsystem including one or more forward looking range finding sensors andGPS antennas. In some implementations, a vehicle actuation systemconfigured to convert a standard vehicle (e.g., a tractor or a truck) toone with steering and speed that can be controlled autonomously throughactuation of steering wheel, clutch, pedals, and/or throttle.Additionally, this vehicle actuation system may include actuation ofposition, draft, etc. of an attached implement should the vehicle bedesigned to operate one. The actuation system may be configured tocommand and control the vehicle without the use of any native or builtin communication or control protocols such as CAN-BUS. The actuationsystem may be make and model agnostic to the vehicle it is installed on.In some implementations, a mobile connected platform is configured toscout agricultural environments using agricultural sensors such as soilmoisture, humidity, temperature, multi-spectral camera, and/or lidar.

FIG. 11 is block diagram of an example of a tractor sensing system 1100.The tractor sensing system 1100 may include sensors designed to beconnected to a vehicle to collect some or all of the following types ofinformation. For example, this information could be collected directlyor inferred by combining data from several sources (e.g., using sensorfusion techniques).

The tractor sensing system 1100 includes a sensor data processing system1110. For example, the sensor data processing system 1110 may receivesensor data from one or more sensors of the tractor sensing system 1100(e.g., 1112, 1114, 1116, 1118, 1120, and/or 1122) and perform signalprocessing (e.g., Kalman filtering or other sensor fusion processing) onthe sensor data to determine estimates of operating parameters (e.g.,position, orientation, speed, current, voltage, and/or temperature) of avehicle (e.g., the vehicle 110) and/or a mounted implement (e.g., theimplement 120). For example, the sensor data processing system 1110 mayreceive sensor data from one or more sensors of the tractor sensingsystem 1100 (e.g., 1112, 1114, 1116, 1118, 1120, and/or 1122) andperform signal processing (e.g., simultaneous localization and mapping(SLAM) or other sensor fusion processing) on the sensor data todetermine a model of an environment surrounding the vehicle). Forexample, the sensor data processing system 1110 may include softwareexecuted by processing apparatus (e.g., the processing apparatus 130).

The tractor sensing system 1100 includes one or more distance sensors1112, such as laser range finders, (e.g., lidar), radar, sonar, stereocameras, structured light sensors, and/or photogrammetry (e.g.,structure from motion).

The tractor sensing system 1100 includes one or more color sensors 1114,such as visual light cameras, multispectral and/or hyperspectral imagers(e.g., sensitive in the infrared, visual, and/or ultraviolet bands andsensitive to both wide and narrow bands of electromagnetic radiation inthese bands). The one or more color sensors 1114 may rely on passiveillumination or be coupled with an illumination system in a relevantband.

The tractor sensing system 1100 includes one or more control feedbacksensors 1116, which may be configured to provide feedback about thevehicle state for use by the control system or for system status orhealth monitoring. For example, the one or more control feedback sensors1116 may utilize a native messaging protocol (e.g., CAN-Bus or ISObus)integration to measure vehicle speed, engine speed, fuel levels, andengine health, including but not limited to oil temp and pressure,coolant temperatures. For example, the one or more control feedbacksensors 1116 may include linear and rotary position sensors (e.g.,sensors employing lasers, hall effect, resistor, switches and/orphotogates) to obtain position (e.g., absolute and/or relativepositioning). For example, the one or more control feedback sensors 1116may include current sensors (e.g., Hall Effect and shunt type). Forexample, the one or more control feedback sensors 1116 may includevoltage sensors (e.g., digital or analog). For example, the one or morecontrol feedback sensors 1116 may include force sensors (e.g., loadcells and/or integrally mounted strain gauges). For example, the one ormore control feedback sensors 1116 may include temperature sensors(e.g., thermocouples, thermistors and/or resistance temperaturedetectors (RTDs)). For example, the one or more control feedback sensors1116 may include pressure sensors. In some implementations, the one ormore control feedback sensors 1116 may be connected to components of avehicle (e.g., the vehicle 110) and/or an implement (e.g., the implement120).

The tractor sensing system 1100 includes one or more position sensors1118, such as sensors to communicate with one or more global navigationsatellite systems (GNSS) (e.g., one or more on vehicle receivers andoptional fixed base station receivers), a local or global radio beaconbased position sensing system, and/or sensors based on fixed groundreference markers (e.g., detectable via visual, radio frequency, ormagnetic sensors). In some implementations, position detection may beimplemented based on fusing data from disparate sensors definedelsewhere in the tractor sensing system 1100 to provide more accurateposition estimates than one sensor alone.

The tractor sensing system 1100 includes one or more orientation sensors1120, such as an inertial measurement unit (e.g., integrating any of oneor more axis magnetometers, one or more axis accelerometers, and/or oneor more axis gyroscopes) and/or two or more position sensors (e.g.,Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors). For example, an inertialmeasurement unit may output sensor data in a form of an estimate oforientation (e.g., relative or absolute). For example, an orientation ofthe vehicle may be derived from two or more position sensors connectedto vehicle (e.g., near the front and near the back of the vehicle) as avector between the position points estimated by the two positionssensors. For example, the one or more orientation sensors 1120 may bemounted and configured to determine an orientation of a vehicle (e.g., atractor) and/or an orientation of an implement (e.g., a boom sprayer).

The tractor sensing system 1100 includes one or more speed sensors 1122,such as wheel encoders, radar speed sensors, and/or inferred speed fromprocessing algorithms computed on data from any or all of the depth andcolor sensor data described above.

The tractor sensing system 1100 be configured to receive user input1130, such as via physical or virtual buttons, switches, sliders and/orknobs either attached to vehicle or connected via wireless link. In someimplementations, users may be enabled to send commands necessary tomanually control the vehicle, either from a cockpit of the vehicle, nearthe vehicle, or remotely (e.g., teleoperation). In some implementations,a user is enabled to command all motors and actuators on the vehicle orsome subset to allow the user to manually control the vehicle. Forexample, users could send high level commands that cause the vehicle toexecute complex tasks, such as commanding a vehicle to return home ormow a mapped field. In some implementations, a user may be enabled toforce the tractor to start, stop, pause or abort the current task fromon the vehicle, locally via local wireless or from anywhere in the worldvia a communication system (e.g., using a WiFi or cellular data networkinterface).

For example, the tractor sensing system 1100 may include a Swiftnav RTKGPS for Position and Speed, an XSens IMU for Orientation, a VelodyneLidar for Distance and Perception, and a ZED 3D Camera for Color andPerception.

FIG. 12 is block diagram of an example of a tractor control system 1200.The tractor control system 1200 may enable a vehicle (e.g., a tractor)to automatically move in the world and execute tasks. This may involveactively controlling an orientation and speed of the vehicle as well asmanipulating one or more implements (e.g., farm implements).Additionally, the vehicle may be configured to provide feedback tooperators and other people working in the area as well as othervehicles. The tractor control system 1200 includes a system controller1210 that issues control signals to an orientation controller 1220configured to control orientation of a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 110),a speed controller 1230 configured to control speed of the vehicle, andan implement controller 1240 configured to control operation of animplement (e.g., the implement 120); and provides user feedback 1250.

The tractor control system 1200 includes an orientation controller 1220.The orientation controller 1220 may be configured for steering,including steering a single wheel to all wheels. For example, steeringcan be accomplished with a combination of linkages and actuators,including electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators or anycombination. The tractor control system 1200 includes an orientationcontroller 1220 differential drive, where wheels or tracks are poweredat different rates to change the vehicle orientation. Differential drivemay include skid steer, where each wheel or track has significanttransverse movement across the ground that is resolved as friction,omni-wheel configurations, where wheels are designed not to producefriction transverse to their orientation, as well as configurations withall driven wheels on the same axis and non-driven wheels allowed to freecastor in the local direction of travel. For omni-wheel configurations,traditional wheel configurations with all wheels pointed generally inthe same direction may be used as well as configurations involvingwheels oriented around a circle to simplify control strategies. Forexample, in a 3-wheeled configuration, positioning wheels at 120° anglesfrom each other may enable complete position and speed control in 2-Dspace.

The tractor control system 1200 includes a speed controller 1230. Forexample, vehicle speed may be increased or decreased by changingsettings on engine or motor to change speed (e.g., changing throttlesetting on an internal combustion or gas turbine, changing gear in atransmission, changing voltage or current to an electric motor, changingair or fluid flow or pressure to pneumatic or hydraulic motors). Forexample, the speed controller 1230 may be configured to control vehiclespeed by changing pressure applied to brakes installed in the vehicle,either in central locations on the drivetrain or at one or more wheelsor tracks or some combination of the two. For example, the speedcontroller 1230 may be configured to control vehicle speed by changingpressure to clutches installed in the drivetrain, either locally at oneor more wheels or tracks or in central locations where a single clutchcan modulate power to more than one wheel or track.

The tractor control system 1200 includes an implement controller 1240,which may control one or more implements (e.g., including a toolattached to the vehicle to do work). For example, the implementcontroller 1240 may be configured to control an implement primarily viaa 3-point hitch attached to the vehicle or via electronic or hydraulicsystems. For example, implements controlled via a 3-point hitch arerigidly attached to be the vehicle and can be raised and lowered to aconstant height or a height that changes dynamically. In someimplementations, dynamic changes can be driven by load on the implement,such as from the ground during a tilling operation where the implementpartially in the ground or via some other sensor feedback on theimplement or from a sensor system on the vehicle (e.g., the tractorsensing system 1100). For example, implements may be controlled viahydraulic or electric signaling. These signals can be used to controlcutters, sprayers, motors, actuators, engines or any other requiredsystem to allow an implement to execute a task. For example, implementssuch as boom sprayers, which require leveling in real time based on thetilt angle of the tractor, can be controlled with a closed loop systemwhich includes sensing from an IMU or other level sensing device and theuses onboard actuators to level the boom sprayer.

The tractor control system 1200 provides user feedback 1250. In someimplementations, the vehicle is able to inform users about its state andcommand queue. For example, state may include the settings to all systemoutputs as well as raw and processed sensor data. For example, userfeedback 1250 may be available to users via interfaces on the vehicle,including screens, lights, and audible indicators. For example, userfeedback 1250 may be available to remote users via custom interfaces oncellular phones and tablets as well as desktops and laptops. Forexample, user feedback 1250 may take the form of web interfaces andcustom application software. For example, user feedback 1250 may becommunicated as described in the communication system section below.

Other Vehicles

The autonomous sensor perception and actuation platform may extend toother vehicle types that operate in outdoor industrial environmentsincluding but not limited to farms. For example, other vehicles thatcould use this technology include mining, construction, marine,trucking, warehouse, shipping yards and logging applications. Forexample, the vehicle control systems described herein could extend tovehicles which do road maintenance such as clearing, watering ordeicing. For example, in agriculture, the vehicle control systemsdescribed herein could be extended to a self-propelled tree nut shaker,tree nut sweeper, self-propelled cart designed to transport fruit from apoint in a vineyard or field to a point in the headlands, and return tothat point, grain cart, combine, self-propelled planter, self-propelleddiscer, or tiller.

In some implementations, the vehicle control systems described hereinmay be extended to control a swarm of smaller robots. For example, thesesmaller swarm robots could be terrestrial or air vehicles such asrotorwing and fixed wing drones. The vehicle control systems describedherein could be used to schedule and control their activities as well asbe a physical docking station for transportation over longer distances,recharging, refueling, or reloading inputs. Additionally, the vehiclecontrol systems described herein may be used as a communications relayover long distances in a mesh network configuration.

In some implementations, the vehicle control systems described hereincould be extended to work alongside humans when needed in activitiessuch as harvesting, where workers are walking next to slow movingtractors. For example, the vehicle control systems described herein canalso be used on smaller vehicles such as side-by-sides and all-terrainvehicles, where moving or towing small objects around an area isdesirable.

For example, the vehicle control systems described herein may be usedwith vehicles to do jobs that interact with land and crops such asspraying, mowing, discing, trenching, and vacuuming. In someimplementations, the vehicles can also use vehicle control systemsdescribed herein as a platform for collecting data by monitoring andsurveying crops. For example, the vehicle control systems describedherein may be used to detect dehydrated plants, disease, pests, andmonitor growth over time.

Autonomous/Connected Operation

A system of autonomous perception sensors may be deployed via stationaryground sensors, drones/UAVs, and vehicles used to automate scouting andfarm operations. Global farm data may be collected and collated withlocal data at the plant or field level to monitor ground and airconditions. Mobile robots may be deployed on command such as UAVs,drones, self-propelled vehicles, or manned vehicles to collect timesensitive data. Data may be used in statistical models to relateweather, soil moisture, humidity, geographic location, chemicals andoperations applied to growth and health of plants. Data may also be usedto produce operational recommendations and automatically or manuallydeploy human and robotic resources to complete agricultural tasks. Forexample, a connected site-wide operation may include automatic toolchanging stations, refueling stations, and a central command and controlcenter to monitor and assign mobile assets operational tasks.

Communication System

A vehicle may be enabled to communicate with central locations to sendand receive updates and store information. While in the fieldcommunications may include but are not limited to cellular, WiFi, orother RF links. These links can be ganged together in parallel or seriesto maintain connectivity. For example, communication links can be usedfor real time communication or for occasional updates. For example,communication links may utilize antennas on the vehicle and optionallyantennas centrally located at the site to relay signals based on achosen topology. For example, central servers can be located on sitewith the vehicles or centrally in the cloud or a dedicated datacenter orsome combination. Additionally, servers may be kept in multiple of theselocations for either redundancy or to store different types of vehicledata.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of an example of a tractor retrofitted withan autonomous system 1300. FIG. 13 depicts a market available 50 HPtractor and rear-attached sprayer implement. The boxes denote hardwarecomponents of the autonomous system 1300 that connect through aprocessing apparatus 1310 (e.g., a central computer) and actuate thesteering and pedals of the tractor. The autonomous system 1300 includesa processing apparatus 1310 (e.g., the processing apparatus 130); anon-board user interface 1312 (e.g. including a touchscreen); steering,pedal, and implement actuators 1320 configured to control the tractorand the sprayer via a manual control interface of the tractor; a globalpositioning system (GPS) 1330, including a reference GPS receivermounted near the back of the tractor and an attitude GPS mounted nearthe front of the tractor; one or more perception sensors 1340 (e.g.,including a lidar sensor and/or an RGB camera); and e-stops 1350configured to shutdown the tractor when they are pressed or activated.

Human Machine Interface

For example, a vehicle may be assigned tasks, controlled, and monitoredby a remote control interface. A user interface may enable a single useror user group to control one or multiple autonomous farming vehiclesfrom the vehicle or other remote locations. Examples of remote locationsinclude on vehicle, line-of-sight distance away from vehicle, otherlocations on a work site, or a central command and control centeroperated onsite or elsewhere. The user interface may be used toinitialize the vehicle, assign it tasks, monitor and alert users tovehicle health diagnostics, obstacles, and/or fuel levels. In someimplementations, a secondary user interface may be used to show locationof all assets, their statuses and records of the operations executed bythose assets and users that initialized operations on the vehicle.

For example, teleoperation may enable remote operators to intervene withthe vehicle's assigned job in scenarios where the software or vehiclehas determined it cannot safely proceed per the constraints provided.Some examples of teleoperation may be to transport machines over longerdistances including semi-private or public roads, navigatingnon-standard turns, navigating around obstacles where there is a levelof uncertainty of the obstacle geometry and type, and conductingon-the-fly operations that are not programmed into the machine's corealgorithms. The user interface may enable a human controller to takeover the machine's operation using a live camera feed, sensor inputs,and teleoperation of actuators on the vehicle.

In some implementations, vehicles may be enabled to load and unloadthemselves from trailers. The vehicle's path will be able to beprogrammed in an extendable way from knowing only a small part of thefield and then generating the rest of the path based on knowledge of thesize and shape of the land as well as the desired operational task thatthe tractor is requested to perform.

Hardware Architecture Implementations

FIGS. 14-15 depict examples of the electrical and communicationarchitecture of a vehicle control system's hardware components. Forexample, externally mounted sensors including the Lidar, IMU, RGBCamera, and GPS antennas may be connected via Ethernet and/or hardwiredto a processing apparatus (e.g., a core computer). Signals from thesesensors may be processed via software algorithms which then instruct thecontrollers to actuate the steering wheel/pedals/implementcontrols/e-stop system and relay data to and from the remote interface.Hardware components may be mounted to the vehicle to eliminate ormitigate vibrations, and actuators may be mounted to enable manualmanipulation of the tractor when autonomous mode is not activated (e.g.,a pedal may be actuated by a cable attached to the pedal and a motorthat pulls the pedal down by varying amounts while in use and goes slackwhen autonomous mode is not activated to allow the pedal to be operatednormally by a human foot).

FIG. 14 is block diagram of an example of a hardware architecture for anautonomous vehicle control system 1400. The autonomous vehicle controlsystem 1400 includes three microcontrollers (1410, 1412, and 1414),which may enable lower delay in some feedback control loops. Theautonomous vehicle control system 1400 includes microcontroller #1 1410;microcontroller #2 1412; microcontroller #3 1414; a radar speed sensor1420; a wireless pendant 1422; an emergency stop 1424; an implementposition sensor 1426; an implement draft 1428; a brake actuator 1430; aclutch actuator 1432; a steering position sensor 1434; a steeringactuator 1436; a universal serial bus (USB) hub 1440; an inertialmeasurement unit (IMU) 1442; an Ethernet network 1444; a first globalpositioning system (GPS) 1450 (e.g., a reference GPS); a second globalpositioning system (GPS) 1452 (e.g., an attitude GPS); a first GPS radio1454; a second GPS radio 1456; a main compute module 1460; a lidar 1462;and a red green blue (RGB) camera 1464.

FIG. 15 is block diagram of an example of a hardware architecture for anautonomous vehicle control system 1500. The autonomous vehicle controlsystem 1500 includes a microcontroller 1510, which may enable lowerdelay in some feedback control loops. The autonomous vehicle controlsystem 1500 includes a microcontroller 1510; a radar speed sensor 1520;a wireless pendant 1522; an emergency stop 1524; an implement positionsensor 1526; an implement draft 1528; a brake actuator 1530; a clutchactuator 1532; a steering position sensor 1534; a steering actuator1536; an Ethernet network 1540; a radio 1542; a main compute module1550; a universal serial bus (USB) 1552; an inertial measurement unit(IMU) 1554; a red green blue (RGB) camera 1560; a first globalpositioning system (GPS) 1570 (e.g., a reference GPS); a second globalpositioning system (GPS) 1572 (e.g., an attitude GPS); and a lidar 1580.

The autonomous vehicle control system 1500 and similar systems mayinclude external internet/internet of things (IoT) connectivity. Forexample, the autonomous vehicle control system 1500 may use over the airnetwork communications for software updates and to enable teleoperation.The autonomous vehicle control system 1500 utilizes the radio 1542 toreceive/send signals (e.g., RTK, eStop commands, and WiFi) to and from avehicle (e.g., a tractor). In some implementations (not shown in FIG.15), a cradlepoint gateway may be integrated onto the tractor itselfwhich allows a remote user to control, stream video, and/or transmitdata over a cellular data network (e.g., an LTE network).

Tractor Perception System

FIG. 16 depicts the hardware and software components of the tractorperception system 1600. The perception system hardware is comprised of a3-D lidar sensor 1630 and Color Camera sensor 1640 that are mounted tothe front of the tractor. These sensors are connected, via an Ethernetrouter 1620, to a main compute 1610 (e.g., a central compute platform)and continuously relay data about the tractor's surroundings which mayenable the tractor to course correct and make real-time navigationaldecisions. While a preferred configuration is a Lidar+Color Camera,other configurations with range finding sensors and cameras can be usedto perceive the vehicle's environment. For example, primary functions ofthe perception system software may include tree or vegetation detection,field row following, and unknown obstacle detection for alternate routeplanning and safety. For example, secondary functions of the perceptionsystem may include mapping of plant growth over time, monitoring planthealth, and variable application of materials and implement control.

FIG. 16 is block diagram of an example of a tractor perception system1600. The tractor perception system 1600 includes a main compute 1610;an Ethernet router 1620; a 3-D lidar sensor 1630; a color camera sensor1640; a universal serial bus (USB) hub 1650; and one or moremicrocontrollers 1660, which may be configured to control actuationbased on perception data regarding the environment. The main compute1610 runs software modules to process sensor data from the 3-D lidarsensor 1630 and the color camera sensor 1640 to determine a model of anenvironment surrounding the tractor. The main compute 1610 includes atree detection and row following module 1612; an obstacle detection forsafety tackling module 1614; an object recognition for path planning andmeta-data extraction module 1616; and a perception data fusion formapping and localization module 1618.

Software/Algorithms (Path Planning and Navigation)

FIG. 17 depicts at a high level how a perception system (e.g., cameraand Lidar) and state estimation techniques (e.g., UKF, Particle Filter,and RTK GPS location) are fed into a vehicle control system's pathplanning algorithms. The vehicle control system may be given anavigational course or map with available routes, and uses perceptiondata as well as orientation data to correct the tractor's actual poseand location via sending commands to the actuators. This may enable thetractor to stay on its prescribed course while reacting to variances andanomalies in the environment.

FIG. 17 is block diagram of an example of a system 1700 configured forautonomous vehicle control. The system 1700 perception of environmentmodule 1710 that utilizes an RGB camera 1712, a radar 1714, and a lidar1716; a current orientation module 1720 that utilizes an unscentedKalman filter (UKF) 1722, a particle filter 1724, and/or a real-timekinematic fix module 1726; a path planning algorithms module 1730 thatincludes a distance-to-waypoint minimization module 1732 and an obstaclerecognition based dynamic planning module 1734; and a motion controller1740 that includes hardware actuators 1742.

There are physical features in agricultural environments that a vehiclecan use to localize, plan, and navigate using sensor fusion, datafiltering, and estimation techniques. For example, in an orchard andutilizing lidar point cloud data, points may be clustered based ondistance and intensity to estimate locations of trees, and createvirtual lanes which the vehicle can navigate between. Creating models ofphysical features planted in agricultural row formations may includedistinguishing between hard obstacles such as poles, tree trunks, andbranches, and soft obstacles such as leaves that do not need to beavoided. In some implementations, by using the vehicle pose and locationin relation to these lanes, the vehicle is able to safely navigatebetween rows without the use of GPS. Another scenario required of thevehicle in GPS denied or unreliable environments is detecting the end ofa row, planning a turn, and re-entering the next row to continue theoperation without the use of GPS. In this scenario the geospatialrelationship between the vehicle and environmental features may bedetermined based on distance and/or camera sensor feedback and analysis.Once the vehicle reaches and detects an end-of-row condition, thevehicle may execute a turn and identify the optimal trajectory to enterthe next agricultural lane. Using this method, the vehicle may cover anentire plot of agricultural rows without the use of global satellitebased positioning. In some implementations, a method of mapping andlocalization called SLAM can be utilized using lidar and/or camera datathat creates a local map of the environment as the vehicle drivesthrough the environment that can be referenced in subsequent autonomousruns to localize and navigate when lacking GPS.

Non-GPS Path Planning/Navigation

FIG. 18 depicts a lower level framework for path planning and navigationwithout the use of a GPS antenna. In most robotic applications requiringreal-world navigation, a GPS is used to localize the robot and estimateits speed in the real world. There are many environments that mayinhibit the use of a GPS such as an underground mine, underwater, insidea building, and underneath vegetation. In agriculture, and specificallyin old growth orchards and vineyards with significant canopy cover, GPSguidance solutions may not be adequate for precision operations as anRTK fix is occluded by the leaves and branches overhead of the robot.This diagram shows an alternative approach to path planning in aGPS-denied orchard environment, and extends to row finding and followingin vineyards, row crops, and other rowed or landed environments.

FIG. 18 is block diagram of an example of a system 1800 configured forautonomous vehicle control using perception based tree detection and rowfollowing. The system 1800 includes a sensor data acquisition system1810 that includes a three dimensional lidar 1812 and an inertialmeasurement unit 1814; a SLAM-based visual odometry estimation module1820 that utilizes a lidar odometry and mapping algorithm 1822; a3D-based tree detection module 1830 that includes a local-frameEuclidean tree-cluster extraction module 1832; a path finding module1840 that includes a least-squares fitting of tree locations module1842, an outlier-tree removal module 1844, and a left and right treerows association module 1846; a vehicle heading estimation module 1850that includes a planning for vehicle to head to row-center module 1852;and a vehicle steering in row system 1860 (e.g., including a steeringwheel actuator). For example, the SLAM-based visual odometry estimationmodule 1820 may be configured to take 3D sensor data (e.g.,three-dimensional point cloud data) and heading data (e.g., pitch, roll,and yaw) from the sensor data acquisition system 1810 and determinelocalization data for the vehicle that is passed to the 3D-based treedetection module 1830.

The algorithms of the system 1800 may be based on simultaneouslocalization and mapping (SLAM), 3D-based tree detection, tree-lanefinding, and/or vehicle heading estimation. For example, trees may bedetected based on their trunks, which do not change much over timecompared to tree canopies, and a Euclidean cluster extraction algorithm.Once tree trunks in front of the vehicle are found, an algorithm may beapplied to least-squares fit the detected trees on the left and rightsides of the vehicle. The least-squares fit may serve to find thedirections of the left and right tree lines which form a tree lane. Ineach fitted tree line, a detected tree is considered an outlier andremoved when its perpendicular distance to the fitted tree line isgreater than a defined threshold. In some implementations, the satisfiedtrees then go through a process of left and right tree-rows associationwhich may take a constraint of parallel tree lines into account. In thisstep, left and right tree lines are fit at once with a condition thatthey are parallel to each other. Afterwards, vehicle heading may becalculated from the detected tree lane in every frame (e.g., the vehiclestays in the middle of the lane and its heading is parallel to thelane).

FIG. 19 is block diagram of an example of a system 1900 configured forautonomous vehicle control using perception based end-of-row detectionand row rejoining. The system 1900 includes a path finding module 1910;an end-of-row detection module 1920 that includes an assessment ofconstraints module 1922 (e.g., configured to check that no trees aredetected in a travel range and out of tree-row length); a u-turnplanning module 1930 that includes a validation module 1932 (e.g.,configured to validate the detected turn as being associated with aplanned turn) and vehicle steering in turn module 1934 (e.g., configuredto output control signals to a vehicle steering actuator); a tree-rowrejoining module 1940 that includes an assessment of constraints module1942 (e.g., configured to check that a 180 degree turn is completed andthat the last seen tree from the previous row is detected); and a sensordata acquisition system 1950 that includes an inertial measurement unit(IMU) 1952. For example, the sensor data acquisition system 1950 mayoutput a yaw estimate for the vehicle to the tree-row rejoining module1940. For example, the end-of-row detection module 1920 may beconfigured to determine turn events (e.g., a left turn or a right turn)when a turn at the end of a crop row may enable entry of a next row bythe vehicle.

GPS Path Planning and Navigation GPS-Based Path Planning

FIGS. 20 and 21 depict two example methods for generating maps or pathswhen utilizing a GPS on the tractor. The first method, depicted in FIG.20, allows a user to manually drive a path, where perception andorientation sensor values are recorded and fused to create sequentialGPS waypoints the tractor can later follow autonomously. The secondmethod, depicted in FIG. 21, utilizes aerial maps with GPS data tosegment and draw a preferred route which may then be converted to GPSwaypoints the tractor can later follow autonomously.

FIG. 20 is block diagram of an example of a method 2000 for globalpositioning system based path pre-learning by manual vehicle driving.The method 2000 includes sensor data acquisition 2010 that utilizes areference global positioning system (GPS) 2012, an inertial measurementunit (IMU) 2014, and a radar speed sensor 2016; UKF-based sensor fusion2020 that includes a fusing 2022 GPS position as absolute position data,fusing 2024 IMU yaw as differential position data, and fusing 2026 radarspeed as absolute velocity; path pre-learning 2030 that includes manualvehicle driving 2032 and filtered waypoints recording 2034. For example,path pre-learning may include recording 2034 of filtered odometry datathat is determined by UKF-based sensor fusion 2020 and associated withwaypoints during manual vehicle driving 2032.

FIG. 21 is block diagram of an example of a method 2100 for globalpositioning system based path pre-learning by waypoints generation. Themethod 2100 includes map capture 2110 that includes accessing 2112 a 2Dmap and/or stitching 2114 a 3D map from 3D point clouds. Path generation2120 may then be performed using a resulting 2D map and/orortho-projected 3D map. In this example, path generation 2120 includesmanual path defining 2122 (e.g., by drawing in a user interface, such awebpage presenting the map) and waypoints generation 2124 in imagecoordinates of the map. The method 2100 includes path pre-learning 2130based on the waypoints in the image coordinates of the map. In thisexample, path pre-learning 2130 includes waypoints geo-referencing 2132and recording 2134 of waypoints in a geographic coordinate system.

GPS-Based Navigation

FIG. 22 depicts the software algorithms that analyze and process sensordata and control a tractor (e.g., via messages tosteering/pedal/implement actuators) based on a pre-defined path (e.g., apath defined as described in relation to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG.20, or FIG. 21). The software architecture is a feedback loop,estimating the state of the tractor at the current time based onprevious location, odometry, heading, and speed; then, calculating thegoal waypoint, distance to that waypoint, and steering angle commandsthat result in a smooth navigation to said waypoint given the tractor'sspeed. This loop may continues through each waypoint along thepre-defined path until completion of the course or map.

FIG. 22 is block diagram of an example of a method 2200 for globalpositioning system based path planning and navigation using sensorfusion. The method 2200 includes sensor data acquisition 2210 thatutilizes a reference GPS 2212 (e.g., mounted near the back of avehicle), an attitude GPS 2214 (e.g., mounted near the front of thevehicle), an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 2216, and a radar speedsensor 2218; vehicle moving state estimation 2220 that includescross-validation 2222 of GPS-based and radar-based speed; vehicleGPS-based heading estimation 2230 that includes utilization 2232 ofreference and attitude positions and utilization 2234 of difference ofreference positions; UKF-based sensor fusion 2240 that includes fusing2242 GPS heading as absolute heading, fusing 2244 GPS positions asabsolute positions, fusing 2246 IMU yaw as differential heading, fusing2248 radar speed as absolute velocity, and fusing 2250 perception-basedheading as differential heading; path pre-learning 2260; anddistance-to-waypoint minimization 2270 that includes angle-to-steerestimation 2272 and vehicle auto-steering 2274.

ROS and Overall System Architecture

FIG. 23 depicts an example of a high level software system architecture.The entire system may be built on a publish-subscribe (pub/sub)middleware system, such as Robot Operating System (ROS). In a pub/subsystem, the software system may include of several nodes. For example,each node may subscribe to some topics that stream data, operate on thatdata, and publish their results. The pub/sub system allows the differentcomponents of the system to be abstracted into individual nodes as shownin FIG. 23. For example, the different classes of nodes may includesensor drivers, perception, localization, planning, control, userinterface handler, and state machine.

FIG. 23 is block diagram of an example of a software architecture for anautonomous vehicle control system 2300. The autonomous vehicle controlsystem 2300 includes a sensor drivers node 2310 that receives sensordata from one or more sensors 2312 (e.g., the sensors 140 or sensors ofthe tractor sensing system 1100); a perception node 2320; a localizationnode 2330; a state estimation node 2340; a planning node 2350; a controlnode 2360 configured to generate control signals for actuators 2362; astate machine 2370; and a user interface handler 2372 configured toreceive user input 2374.

For example, the sensor drivers node 2310 may be responsible for readingin raw data from sensors, converting that data using calibration, andpublishing it to the system. In some implementations (not shown in FIG.23), each sensor will have its own driver node. For example the sensordrivers node 2310 may publish data to the localization and perceptionnodes.

For example, the perception node 2320 may subscribe to data coming fromperception sensors, or sensors that collect data from the environment.For example, these sensors could include LiDAR, camera, or sonar. Insome implementations, the perception node 2320 may be used for obstacledetection, object identification, and/or mapping.

For example, the localization node 2330 may subscribe to data fromperception node 2320 and the sensor drivers node 2310. For example, thelocalization node 2330 may fuse this data to provide a probabilisticestimate of a location of a robot (e.g., a vehicle with a mountedimplement under the control of an autonomous controller).

Autonomous Vehicle Safety

The vehicle may be constantly monitoring system health and has abilityto terminate operations if any parameter goes out of predeterminedsafety limits/thresholds or if an operator or user decides to stopoperations based on remotely detected conditions. For example,termination of operations can include a command to pause operations bystopping movement of the vehicle or cutting power to the entire system,which may stop all motors, engines, and actuators. In someimplementations, termination of operations can also be based onmonitored environmental conditions (e.g., detecting a thunderstormcoming).

System health monitoring may be run to ensure all aspects of the systemare operating properly, which may include valid data from all sensorsand all motors and actuators are responding in an expected manner to allcommands. Additionally, a system of heartbeat messages may be passedbetween parts of the system to insure all parts are alive and well. Ifany problems are detected, the system may send a command down to a lowlevel controller to terminate autonomous operation, which may beexecuted by safing the motors and actuators and then cutting power tothe engine and stopping the system. Additionally, one or more users maybe alerted to a hard shut down via the remote interface, which mayprompt the user to resume operations manually.

The controller of the system may have physical switches capable ofcutting power to the engines, motors and actuators (e.g., as shown inFIG. 24). These switches may be capable of being tripped manually,remotely, or via dedicated safety hardware, such as bump stops, lightcurtains, and/or geofences.

Safety System & FOBs

FIG. 24 is block diagram of an example of a vehicle 2400 including anemergency stop system. The emergency stop (e-stop) system 2440 is builtto ensure remote or on-vehicle immediate shut down of the engine 2410 inthe case of emergency. The switches (2441-2446) represent physicale-stop buttons mounted to the perimeter and cockpit of the tractor foruse by a safety driver or someone walking alongside while the tractor isrunning autonomously. In addition, a front bumper and wireless FOBs 2460act as switches when pressed. Upon activation of one of the manyredundant safety switches power is cut to the engine 2410 and thevehicle (e.g., a tractor) will come to a stop.

The emergency stop system 2400 includes an engine 2410; an ignitionmodule 2420; a battery 2430; an emergency stop system 2440; amicrocontroller 2450; and one or more wireless e-stop FOBs 2460. Theemergency stop system 2440 includes a front right switch 2441, a frontleft switch 2442, a back right switch 2443, a back left switch 2444, acockpit switch 2445, and a front bump switch 2446. The emergency stopsystem 2440 includes a microcontroller relay 2247 that may be triggeredby the microcontroller 2450. The emergency stop system 2440 includes aremote e-stop relay 2448 that may be triggered remotely by the wirelesse-stop FOBs 2460.

FIG. 25 is flow chart of an example of a process 2500 for agriculturallane following using a distance sensor. The process 2500 includesaccessing 2510 range data captured using a distance sensor connected toa vehicle; detecting 2520 a crop row based on the range data to obtainposition data for the crop row; determining 2530, based on the positiondata for the crop row, a yaw and a lateral position of the vehicle withrespect to a lane bounded by the crop row; and, based on the yaw and thelateral position, controlling 2540 the vehicle to move along a length ofthe lane bounded by the crop row. For example, the process 2500 may beimplemented using the system 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the process2500 may be implemented using the autonomous system 1300 of FIG. 13. Forexample, the process 2500 may be implemented using the autonomousvehicle control system 1400 of FIG. 14. For example, the process 2500may be implemented using the autonomous vehicle control system 1500 ofFIG. 15.

The process 2500 includes accessing 2510 range data captured using adistance sensor (e.g., the one or more distance sensors 146) connectedto a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 110). For example, the vehicle may be atractor, a truck, or an all-terrain vehicle. For example, the distancesensor may be configured to output range data reflecting distances ofobjects with respect to the vehicle. For example, the distance sensormay be a radar sensor. For example, the distance sensor may be a lidarsensor. In some implementations, the distance sensor includes a lidarsensor and the range data includes point cloud data. For example, therange data may be accessed 2510 by receiving range data from thedistance sensor via a bus (e.g., a controller area network (CAN) bus).In some implementations, the range data may be accessed 2510 via acommunications link. For example, the range data may be accessed 2510via a wireless or wired communications interface (e.g., Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, Wireless USB, Near Field Communication (NFC),Ethernet, a radio frequency transceiver, and/or other interfaces). Forexample, the range data may be accessed 2510 as an input signal, whichmay represent positions of objects in a space near the vehicle. Forexample, the range data may include a three-dimensional point cloud or avoxelized occupancy grid. In some implementations, the range data may beaccessed 2510 directly from the distance sensor without intermediatesignal processing. In some implementations, the range data may beaccessed 2510 after being subjected to intermediate signal processing(e.g., low-pass filtering or Kalman filtering to fuse data from multiplesensors). In some implementations, the range data may be accessed 2510by retrieving the range data from a memory or other data storageapparatus.

The process 2500 includes detecting 2520 a crop row based on the rangedata to obtain position data for the crop row. For example, the crop rowmay include one or more plants (e.g., apple trees, corn stalks, ortomato plants). In some implementations, the vehicle is also connectedto one or more image sensors and information from captured image data isfused with range data (e.g., radar sensor data or lidar sensor data) todetect 2520 the crop row and determine obtain position data for the croprow. For example, the process 2800 of FIG. 28 may be implemented todetect 2520 a crop row including one or more plants based on the rangedata. For example, the crop row may include a raised planting bedcomposed of soil structured to facilitate the planting of crop plants.For example, the process 2700 of FIG. 27 may be implemented to detect2520 a crop row including a raised planting bed based on the range data.In some implementations, the range data may be filtered to isolaterelevant position data for the crop row. For example, detecting 2520 acrop row may include filtering the range data (e.g., point cloud data)to consider only points in a zone of interest when detecting the croprow. For example, the zone of interest may be limited to a range ofheights (e.g., from ground level to 4 feet to focus on tree trunks) anda maximum distance from the vehicle. In some implementations, theposition data for the crop row includes one or more bounding boxes forone or more plants of the crop row, which may be determined by applyinga neural network to the range data (e.g., filtered range data). In someimplementations, two crop rows (a left crop row and a right crop row)that bound a lane the vehicle is positioned in on either side aredetected 2520 and position data from both crop rows is used to identifyand navigate the lane. For example, the scenario 3200 illustrated inFIG. 32 shows an agricultural lane bounded by a left crop row and rightcrop row. For example, the crop row may be a left crop, and the process2500 may also include detecting 2520 a right crop row based on the rangedata.

The process 2500 includes determining 2530, based on the position datafor the crop row, a yaw and a lateral position of the vehicle withrespect to a lane bounded by the crop row. For example, the process 2600of FIG. 26 may be implemented to determine 2530 the yaw and lateralposition. For example, the process 2700 of FIG. 27 may be implemented todetermine 2530 the yaw and lateral position. For example, a lane may bebounded by two crop rows (e.g., a left crop row and a right row) andposition data for either or both of these bounding crop rows may be usedto determine the position and orientation (specified by the yaw alateral position) of vehicle with respect to the lane to facilitateagricultural lane following with or without localization into a mapindicating the position(s) of the crop row(s). In some implementations,determining 2530 the yaw and lateral position includes determining 2530,based on position data for a left crop row and a right crop row, the yawand the lateral position of the vehicle with respect to a lane boundedby the left crop row and the right crop row. For example, a lane may bebounded by a single crop row (e.g., a lane at the edge of a field) andunbounded on the other side or bounded by another object (e.g., afence). In some implementations, a center line of the lane may bedefined to facilitate maintaining a consistent distance between thevehicle and the nearest portion of the crop row to facilitate processingof the crop row with an agricultural implement (e.g., a plow, a sprayer,or a harvester) as the vehicle moves along the length of the identifiedlane. For example, the lateral position may be determined 2530 based ona constant lane width parameter and based on the position data for thecrop row.

The process 2500 includes, based on the yaw and the lateral position,controlling 2540 the vehicle to move along a length of the lane boundedby the crop row. For example, actuators (e.g., the actuators 150 ofFIG. 1) configured to control motion of the vehicle may be used tocontrol 2540 the vehicle to move along a length of the lane bounded bythe crop row. In some implementations, one or more actuators may becontrolled to engage parts of a manual control interface (e.g., themanual control interface 112) of the vehicle to cause the vehicle tomove along the length of the lane bounded by the crop row. For example,a turning angle may be determined based on the yaw and/or on the lateralposition. The turning angle may be used control 2540 the one or moreactuators to turn a steering wheel of the vehicle. For example, the oneor more actuators may be controlled 2540 to pull down an acceleratorpedal of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to be moved forward. In someimplementations, the one or more actuators may bypass a manual controlinterface of the vehicle (e.g., using a controller area network (CAN)bus).

In some implementations (not shown in FIG. 25), the process 2500 may beaugmented to include detecting and following a furrow in the lane toprovide additional reassurance of the proper course where furrows havebeen formed between crop rows. For example, the process 2900 of FIG. 29may be implemented to use range data (e.g., point cloud data) to detecta furrow in the lane and follow the furrow. For example, this furrowfollowing may be combined with the lane following based on detection ofthe crop row by allowing a margin or range for the lateral positionduring lane following and following the furrow to the extent the vehiclestays within the allowed range of the lateral position. Other ways ofcombining the two objectives for control 2540 may be used.

FIG. 26 is flow chart of an example of a process 2600 for determining ayaw and a lateral position within an agricultural lane based on detectedplants. The crop row may include multiple plants (e.g., cherry trees,stalks of corn, or tomato plants). The process 2600 includes detecting2610 plants of the crop row based on the range data, and associatingplants of the crop row with respective positions; fitting 2620 a line tothe respective positions of plants of the crop row; and determining 2630the yaw and the lateral position based on the line. For example, theprocess 2600 may be implemented using the system 100 of FIG. 1. Forexample, the process 2600 may be implemented using the autonomous system1300 of FIG. 13. For example, the process 2600 may be implemented usingthe autonomous vehicle control system 1400 of FIG. 14. For example, theprocess 2600 may be implemented using the autonomous vehicle controlsystem 1500 of FIG. 15.

The process 2600 includes detecting 2610 plants of the crop row based onthe range data, and associating plants of the crop row with respectivepositions. For example, detecting 2610 plants of the crop row mayinclude inputting the range data (e.g., a point cloud or a voxelizedoccupancy grid) to a neural network (e.g., a convolutional neuralnetwork) to obtain respective bounding boxes for plants of the crop row,which specify the respective positions of the plants. For example,detecting 2610 plants of the crop row may include applying a clusteringalgorithm to the range data to identify clusters of points associatedwith respective plants of the crop row and estimating the respectivepositions of the plants based on their clusters (e.g., estimated base ona centroid for a cluster).

The process 2600 includes fitting 2620 a line to the respectivepositions of plants of the crop row. For example, fitting 2620 the linemay include determining a least squares fit of a line parallel to theground plane to the respective positions associated with the plants ofthe crop row. For example, fitting 2620 the line may include applying atransform or other line fitting algorithm (e.g., a Hough transform or arandom sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm) to the respective positionsassociated with the plants of the crop row.

The process 2600 includes determining 2630 the yaw and the lateralposition based on the line. For example, the yaw may be determined 2630as an angle between the horizontal orientation of the vehicle and thefit 2620 line. For example, the lateral position may defined as distancefrom the line fit 2620 to the crop row or distance from a line parallelto the fit 2620 line (e.g., a center line for the lane bounded by thecrop row). For example, the parallel line may be at spatially shifted(e.g., shifted by 0 meters, 1 meter, or 2 meters) into the lane. Forexample, a control algorithm for the vehicle may have an objectivekeeping the vehicle within a desired range (e.g., 0.1 meters 0.5 meters,1 meter, or 2 meters) of the line parallel to the fit 2620 line. Forexample, the parallel line and/or the desired range may be selected tofacilitate processing of the crop row using an agricultural implementattached to the vehicle. For example, scenario 3200 of FIG. 32 showsexamples of yaw and lateral position.

FIG. 27 is flow chart of an example of a process 2700 for determining ayaw and a lateral position within an agricultural lane based on an edgeof a raised planting bed. The process 2700 includes detecting 2710 oneor more edges of the raised planting bed based on the range data, andassociate the one or more edges of the raised planting bed withpositions; fitting 2720 a line to the positions associated with an edgeof the raised planting bed; and determining 2730 the yaw and the lateralposition based on the line. For example, the process 2700 may beimplemented using the system 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the process2700 may be implemented using the autonomous system 1300 of FIG. 13. Forexample, the process 2700 may be implemented using the autonomousvehicle control system 1400 of FIG. 14. For example, the process 2700may be implemented using the autonomous vehicle control system 1500 ofFIG. 15.

The process 2700 includes detecting 2710 one or more edges of the raisedplanting bed based on the range data (e.g., a point cloud or voxelizedoccupancy grid), and associating the one or more edges of the raisedplanting bed with positions. For example, detecting 2710 one or moreedges of the raised planting bed may include applying an edge detectionalgorithm (e.g., based on first-order or second order derivativeexpressions) to the range data.

The process 2700 includes fitting 2720 a line to the positionsassociated with an edge of the raised planting bed. For example, fitting2720 the line may include determining a least squares fit of a lineparallel to the ground plane to the positions associated with the edgeof the raised planting bed. For example, fitting 2720 the line mayinclude applying a transform or other line fitting algorithm (e.g., aHough transform or a random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm) to thepositions associated with the edge of the raised planting bed of thecrop row.

The process 2700 includes determining 2730 the yaw and the lateralposition based on the line. For example, the yaw and lateral positionmay be determined 2730 as described in relation to operation 2630 ofFIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is flow chart of an example of a process 2800 for detecting croprow by identifying bounding boxes for plants of the crop row. Theprocess 2800 includes accessing 2810 image data captured using one ormore image sensors connected to the vehicle; determining 2820 boundingboxes for respective plants of the crop row based on the image data andthe range data; and detecting 2830 the crop row based on the boundingboxes. For example, the process 2800 may be implemented using the system100 of FIG. 1. For example, the process 2800 may be implemented usingthe autonomous system 1300 of FIG. 13. For example, the process 2800 maybe implemented using the autonomous vehicle control system 1400 of FIG.14. For example, the process 2800 may be implemented using theautonomous vehicle control system 1500 of FIG. 15.

The process 2800 includes accessing 2810 image data captured using oneor more image sensors (e.g., the one or more image sensors 144)connected to the vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 110). For example, thevehicle may be a tractor, a truck, or an all-terrain vehicle. In someimplementations, the one or more images sensors may be configured tocapture light in bands of the spectrum corresponding to plant vitality.For example, the one or more image sensors may include a normalizeddifference vegetation index camera connected to the vehicle. In someimplementations, accessing 2810 the image data includes accessing 2810normalized difference vegetation index data, captured using thenormalized difference vegetation index camera. For example, the imagedata may include RGB images and/or normalized difference vegetationindex data. For example, the image data may be accessed 2810 byreceiving image data from the one or more image sensors via a bus (e.g.,a controller area network (CAN) bus). In some implementations, the imagedata may be accessed 2810 via a communications link. For example, theimage data may be accessed 2810 via a wireless or wired communicationsinterface (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, Wireless USB, Near FieldCommunication (NFC), Ethernet, a radio frequency transceiver, and/orother interfaces). In some implementations, the image data may beaccessed 2810 by retrieving the motion sensor data from a memory orother data storage apparatus. For example, the image data may beaccessed 2810 as an input signal, which may represent each pixel valuein a defined format, such as in a RAW image format or a YUV imageformat. In some implementations, the image data may be accessed 2810directly from the one or more image sensors without intermediate signalprocessing. In some implementations, the image data may be accessed 2810after being subjected to intermediate signal processing (e.g., low-passfiltering, lens distortion correction, spatial noise reduction and/ortemporal noise reduction).

The process 2800 includes determining 2820 bounding boxes for respectiveplants of the crop row based on the image data and the range data (e.g.,a point cloud or a voxelized occupancy grid). In some implementations,the distance sensor used to capture the range data includes a radarsensor. In some implementations, the distance sensor used to capture therange data includes a lidar sensor. For example, determining 2820bounding boxes for respective plants of the crop row may includeinputting the image data and the range data to a neural network (e.g., aconvolutional neural network) to obtain the respective bounding boxesfor plants of the crop row. For example, the image data may depict oneor more plants of the crop row near the vehicle. For example, plants mayinclude trees (e.g., apple trees, lemon trees, or cherry trees), vines(e.g., grape vines), or other plants (e.g., tomato plants, potatoplants, or squash plants).

The process 2800 includes detecting 2830 the crop row based on thebounding boxes. For example, detecting 2830 the crop row may includeapplying a line fitting algorithm (e.g., a Hough transform or a randomsample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm) to position data for the boundingboxes. In some implementations, detecting 2830 the crop row includesdetecting the crop row based on normalized difference vegetation indexdata, which may help to isolate plant objects of the crop row from therest of the environment.

FIG. 29 is flow chart of an example of a process 2900 for following afurrow in an agricultural environment. The process 2900 includesdetermining 2910 a ground plane segmentation based on the point clouddata; detecting 2920 a furrow based on the ground plane segmentation toobtain position data for the furrow; and, based on the position data forthe furrow, controlling 2930 the vehicle to move along a length of thefurrow. For example, the process 2900 may be implemented using thesystem 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the process 2900 may be implementedusing the autonomous system 1300 of FIG. 13. For example, the process2900 may be implemented using the autonomous vehicle control system 1400of FIG. 14. For example, the process 2900 may be implemented using theautonomous vehicle control system 1500 of FIG. 15.

The process 2900 includes determining 2910 a ground plane segmentationbased on the point cloud data. For example, the point cloud data mayrepresent a lane bounded by crop row including a raised crop bed thathas not been seeded yet. For example, determining 2910 the ground planesegmentation may include applying a plane segmentation algorithm (e.g.,a random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm) to the point cloud data.

The process 2900 includes detecting 2920 a furrow based on the groundplane segmentation to obtain position data for the furrow. For example,the furrow may be long trench in the ground between crop rows (e.g.,formed by wheels of a tractor).

The process 2900 includes, based on the position data for the furrow,controlling 2930 the vehicle to move along a length of the furrow. Forexample, actuators (e.g., the actuators 150 of FIG. 1) configured tocontrol motion of the vehicle may be used to control 2930 the vehicle tomove along a length of the furrow. In some implementations, one or moreactuators may be controlled to engage parts of a manual controlinterface (e.g., the manual control interface 112) of the vehicle tocause the vehicle to move along the length of the furrow. For example, aturning angle may be determined based on a yaw and/or on a lateralposition relative to a line parallel to the length of the furrow. Theturning angle may be used control 2930 the one or more actuators to turna steering wheel of the vehicle. For example, the one or more actuatorsmay be controlled 2930 to pull down an accelerator pedal of the vehicleto cause the vehicle to be moved forward.

FIG. 30 is flow chart of an example of a process 3000 for agriculturallane following using one or more image sensors. The process 3000includes accessing 3010 image data captured using one or more imagesensors connected to a vehicle; detecting 3020 a crop row based on theimage data to obtain position data for the crop row; determining 3030,based on the position data for crop row, a yaw and a lateral position ofthe vehicle with respect to a lane bounded by the crop row; and, basedon the yaw and the lateral position, controlling 3040 the vehicle tomove along a length of the lane bounded by the crop row. For example,the process 3000 may be implemented using the system 100 of FIG. 1. Forexample, the process 3000 may be implemented using the autonomous system1300 of FIG. 13. For example, the process 3000 may be implemented usingthe autonomous vehicle control system 1400 of FIG. 14. For example, theprocess 3000 may be implemented using the autonomous vehicle controlsystem 1500 of FIG. 15.

The process 3000 includes accessing 3010 image data captured using oneor more image sensors (e.g., the one or more image sensors 144)connected to a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 110). For example, the vehiclemay be a tractor, a truck, or an all-terrain vehicle. In someimplementations, the one or more images sensors may be configured tocapture light in bands of the spectrum corresponding to plant vitality.For example, the one or more image sensors may include a normalizeddifference vegetation index camera connected to the vehicle. In someimplementations, accessing 3010 the image data includes accessing 3010normalized difference vegetation index data, captured using thenormalized difference vegetation index camera. For example, the imagedata may include RGB images and/or normalized difference vegetationindex data. For example, the image data may be accessed 3010 byreceiving image data from the one or more image sensors via a bus (e.g.,a controller area network (CAN) bus). In some implementations, the imagedata may be accessed 3010 via a communications link. For example, theimage data may be accessed 3010 via a wireless or wired communicationsinterface (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, Wireless USB, Near FieldCommunication (NFC), Ethernet, a radio frequency transceiver, and/orother interfaces). In some implementations, the image data may beaccessed 3010 by retrieving the motion sensor data from a memory orother data storage apparatus. For example, the image data may beaccessed 3010 as an input signal, which may represent each pixel valuein a defined format, such as in a RAW image format or a YUV imageformat. In some implementations, the image data may be accessed 3010directly from the one or more image sensors without intermediate signalprocessing. In some implementations, the image data may be accessed 3010after being subjected to intermediate signal processing (e.g., low-passfiltering, lens distortion correction, spatial noise reduction and/ortemporal noise reduction).

The process 3000 includes detecting 3020 a crop row based on the imagedata to obtain position data for the crop row. For example, the crop rowmay include one or more plants (e.g., apple trees, corn stalks, ortomato plants). For example, the process 3100 of FIG. 31 may beimplemented to detect 3020 the crop row. In some implementations, theone or more image sensors include a normalized difference vegetationindex camera connected to the vehicle. For example, detecting 3020 acrop row may include accessing normalized difference vegetation indexdata, captured using the normalized difference vegetation index camera;and detecting 3020 the crop row based on the normalized differencevegetation index data.

In some implementations, the vehicle is also connected to a distancesensor and information from captured range data (e.g., a point cloud ora voxelized occupancy grid) is fused with the image data to detect 3020the crop row and determine obtain position data for the crop row. Forexample, the distance sensor may be a radar sensor. For example, thedistance sensor may be a lidar sensor. In some implementations,detecting 3020 a crop row based on the image data to obtain positiondata for the crop row includes accessing range data captured using thedistance sensor, and determining a position of a plant in the crop rowbased on the image data and the range data. For example, image data andrange data may be combined or fused to detect 3020 a plant in the croprow by inputting the image data and the range data to a neural network(e.g., a convolutional neural network) to obtain position data for theplant (e.g., a bounding box for the plant). For example, the process2800 of FIG. 28 may be implemented to detect 3020 a crop row includingone or more plants based on the image data to obtain position data forthe crop row. For example, the crop row may include a raised plantingbed composed of soil structured to facilitate the planting of cropplants. For example, a process similar to the process 2700 of FIG. 27may be implemented to detect 3220 a crop row including a raised plantingbed based on the image data (instead of based on range data). Forexample, detecting 3020 the crop row may include detecting one or moreedges of the raised planting bed based on the image data, and associatethe one or more edges of the raised planting bed with positions. Forexample, detecting one or more edges of the raised planting bed mayinclude applying an edge detection algorithm (e.g., based on first-orderor second order derivative expressions) to the image data.

Various methods may be used to determine distance information fordetected objects of the crop row based on the image data. For example,detecting 3020 a crop row based on the image data to obtain positiondata for the crop row may include determining a distance from thevehicle to a plant in the crop row based on a size in pixels of theplant as it appears in the image data and a constant physical sizeparameter (e.g., an assumed size of the plant based on an expected planttype and/or time of year or season) of the plant. For example, the oneor more image sensors may include two image sensors with overlappingfields of view, and a distance from the vehicle to a plant in the croprow may be determined based on stereoscopic signal processing of imagedata from the two image sensors depicting the plant. For example,detecting 3020 a crop row based on the image data to obtain positiondata for the crop row may include determining a bounding box for a plantof the crop row based on the image data; and determining a distance fromthe vehicle to a plant in the crop row based on an assumed height (e.g.,assuming the base of the plant is at ground level in relation to theground the vehicle is on or at a known offset in height from groundlevel) of a bottom of the bounding box relative to the one or more imagesensors.

The process 3000 includes determining 3030, based on the position datafor crop row, a yaw and a lateral position of the vehicle with respectto a lane bounded by the crop row. For example, a lane may be bounded bytwo crop rows (e.g., a left crop row and a right row) and position datafor either or both of these bounding crop rows may be used to determinethe position and orientation (specified by the yaw a lateral position)of vehicle with respect to the lane to facilitate agricultural lanefollowing with or without localization into a map indicating theposition(s) of the crop row(s). For example, determining 3030 the yawand lateral position may include fitting a line to multiple plants inthe crop row; and determining the yaw and the lateral position based onthe line. In some implementations, determining 3030 the yaw and lateralposition includes determining 3030, based on position data for a leftcrop row and a right crop row, the yaw and the lateral position of thevehicle with respect to a lane bounded by the left crop row and theright crop row. For example, determining 3030 the yaw and lateralposition may include fitting a first line to position data for multipleplants in the left crop row; fitting a second line to position data formultiple plants in the right crop row; and determining the yaw and thelateral position based on the first line and the second line. Forexample, where the crop row includes a raised plant bed, determining3030 the yaw and lateral position may include fitting a line to thepositions associated with an edge of the raised planting bed; anddetermining the yaw and the lateral position based on the line (e.g., asdescribed in relation to the process 2700 of FIG. 27. For example, alane may be bounded by a single crop row (e.g., a lane at the edge of afield) and unbounded on the other side or bounded by another object(e.g., a fence). In some implementations, a center line of the lane maybe defined to facilitate maintaining a consistent distance between thevehicle and the nearest portion of the crop row to facilitate processingof the crop row with an agricultural implement (e.g., a plow, a sprayer,or a harvester) as the vehicle moves along the length of the identifiedlane. For example, the lateral position may be determined 3030 based ona constant lane width parameter and based on the position data for thecrop row.

The process 3000 includes, based on the yaw and the lateral position,controlling 3040 the vehicle to move along a length of the lane boundedby the crop row. For example, actuators (e.g., the actuators 150 ofFIG. 1) configured to control motion of the vehicle may be used tocontrol 2540 the vehicle to move along a length of the lane bounded bythe crop row. In some implementations, one or more actuators may becontrolled to engage parts of a manual control interface (e.g., themanual control interface 112) of the vehicle to cause the vehicle tomove along the length of the lane bounded by the crop row. For example,a turning angle may be determined based on the yaw and/or on the lateralposition. The turning angle may be used control 3040 the one or moreactuators to turn a steering wheel of the vehicle. For example, the oneor more actuators may be controlled 3040 to pull down an acceleratorpedal of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to be moved forward. In someimplementations, the one or more actuators may bypass a manual controlinterface of the vehicle (e.g., using a controller area network (CAN)bus).

In some implementations, two crop rows (a left crop row and a right croprow) that bound a lane the vehicle is positioned in on either side aredetected 3020 and position data from both crop rows is used to identifyand navigate the lane. For example, the scenario 3200 illustrated inFIG. 32 shows an agricultural lane bounded by a left crop row and rightcrop row. For example, the crop row may be a left crop, and the process3000 may also include detecting 3020 a right crop row based on the imagedata to obtain position data for the right crop row. The lane may bebounded by the right crop row and the yaw and the lateral position aredetermined based on the position data for the right crop row. In someimplementations, the process 3000 includes fitting a first line toposition data for multiple plants in the left crop row; fitting a secondline to position data for multiple plants in the right crop row; anddetermining the yaw and the lateral position based on the first line andthe second line. For example, determining the yaw and the lateralposition based on the first line and the second line may include takingan average of the first line and the second line to determine a lineparallel to the lane, and determining the yaw a lateral position basedon the line parallel to the lane. In some implementations, the process3000 includes fitting a line to position data for multiple plants in theleft crop row and to position data for multiple plants in the right croprow; and determine the yaw and the lateral position based on the line.

In some implementations (not shown in FIG. 30), the process 3000 may beaugmented to include detecting and following a furrow in the lane toprovide additional reassurance of the proper course where furrows havebeen formed between crop rows. For example, a process similar to theprocess 2900 of FIG. 29 may be implemented to use image data (e.g., RGBor YUV images) to detect a furrow in the lane and follow the furrow. Insome implementations, the process 3000 is augmented to includedetermining a ground plane segmentation based on the image data;detecting a furrow based on the ground plane segmentation to obtainposition data for the furrow; and, based on the position data for thefurrow, controlling one or more of the actuators to cause the vehicle tomove along a length of the furrow. For example, determining the groundplane segmentation based on the image data may include applying atexture segmentation algorithm and/or an edge detection algorithm to theimage data. For example, this furrow following may be combined with thelane following based on detection of the crop row by allowing a marginor range for the lateral position during lane following and followingthe furrow to the extent the vehicle stays within the allowed range ofthe lateral position. Other ways of combining the two objectives forcontrol 3040 may be used. For example, this technique based on usingposition data from both crop rows to fit a single line may work bestwhen the sensors have sufficient range/resolution to detect plants inthe crop at a distance such that the detected portions of the laneboundaries are significantly longer than the distance between the leftcrop row and the right crop row.

FIG. 31 is flow chart of an example of a process 3100 for determining ayaw and a lateral position within an agricultural lane based on detectedplants. The process 3100 includes inputting 3110 the image data to aneural network to detect a first plant of the crop row and obtainposition data for the first plant; fitting 3120 a line to position datafor multiple plants of the crop row, including the position data for thefirst plant; and determining 3130 the yaw and the lateral position basedon the line. For example, the process 3100 may be implemented using thesystem 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the process 3100 may be implementedusing the autonomous system 1300 of FIG. 13. For example, the process3100 may be implemented using the autonomous vehicle control system 1400of FIG. 14. For example, the process 3100 may be implemented using theautonomous vehicle control system 1500 of FIG. 15.

The process 3100 includes inputting 3110 the image data to a neuralnetwork to detect a first plant of the crop row and obtain position datafor the first plant. For example, the neural network may include aconvolutional neural network. In some implementations, the neuralnetwork is trained to detect a plant depicted in the image data andreturn position data for detected plant. For example, the position datafor the first plant may include a bounding box for the first plant.

The process 3100 includes fitting 3120 a line to position data formultiple plants of the crop row, including the position data for thefirst plant. For example, fitting 3120 the line may include determininga least squares fit of a line parallel to the ground plane to a set ofposition data associated with the plants of the crop row. For example,fitting 3120 the line may include applying a transform or other linefitting algorithm (e.g., a Hough transform or a random sample consensus(RANSAC) algorithm) to the position data associated with the plants ofthe crop row.

The process 3100 includes determining 3130 the yaw and the lateralposition based on the line. For example, the yaw and lateral positionmay be determined 3130 as described in relation to operation 2630 ofFIG. 26.

FIG. 32 is an illustration of an example of an agricultural lanefollowing scenario 3200. In the scenario 3200, two crop rows, a leftcrop row 3202 and a right crop row 3204 bound a lane on either side. Avehicle 3210 (e.g., the vehicle 110) is configured to automaticallydetect move along the lane bounded by the left crop row 3202 and theright crop row 3204. For example, the vehicle 3210 may be configured toimplement the process 2500 of FIG. 25 or the process 3000 of FIG. 30.The left crop row 3202 includes the plants 3220, 3222, 3224, 3226, and3228 (e.g., raspberry bushes). The right crop row 3204 includes theplants 3230, 3232, 3234, 3236, and 3238 (e.g., almond trees).

In this example scenario 3200, the vehicle 3210 is connected to adistance sensor (e.g., a lidar sensor or a radar sensor) and one or moreimage sensors (e.g., including an RGB camera and/or a normalizeddifference vegetation index camera). The processing apparatus (e.g., theprocessing apparatus 130) of the vehicle 3210 is configured to usesensor data capture by the distance sensor and/or the one or morecameras to detect the left crop row 3202 and the right crop row 3204.For example, the vehicle 3210 may detect the left crop row 3202 byinputting image data captured by the one or more image sensors and/orrange data captured by the distance sensor to a neural network, whichhas been trained to detect the plants (e.g., raspberry bushes) expectedto be present in the left crop row 3202, to obtain position data for theplants 3220, 3222, 3224, 3226, and 3228. The position data returned bythe neural network includes a bounding box 3240 for the plant 3224 andsimilar bounding boxes (not shown in FIG. 32) for the plants 3220, 3222,3226, and 3228. A line 3250 is then fit to the position data for theplants of left crop row 3202, including the bounding box 3240.

Similarly, the vehicle 3210 may detect the right crop row 3204 byinputting image data captured by the one or more image sensors and/orrange data captured by the distance sensor to a neural network, whichhas been trained to detect the plants (e.g., almond trees) expected tobe present in the right crop row, to obtain position data for the plants3230, 3232, 3234, 3236, and 3238. For example, range data (e.g., a pointcloud) may be filtered to isolate a region of interest corresponding tosignificant features of the plants 3230, 3232, 3234, 3236, and 3238(e.g., the trunks of mature almond trees). The filtered range data maybe input to For example, the vehicle 3210 may detect the right crop row3204 by inputting the filtered range data to a neural network, which hasbeen trained to detect the plants (e.g., almond trees) expected to bepresent in the right crop row 3204, to obtain position data for theplants 3220, 3222, 3224, 3226, and 3228. The position data returned bythe neural network may include estimated centroids (not shown in FIG.32) for the trunks for the plants 3230, 3232, 3234, 3236, and 3238. Aline 3252 is then fit to the position data for the plants of right croprow 3204. A composite line 3254 (e.g., a center line for the lane) isdetermined based on the line 3250 and the line 3252 (e.g., by averagingthe line 3250 and the line 3252).

The vehicle 3210 has a current heading 3260. In the example scenario3200, the processing apparatus of the vehicle 3210 is configured todetermine a yaw 3270 and a lateral position 3280 in relation to lanebased on the composite line 3254. For example, the yaw 3270 may be anangle between the current heading 3260 of the vehicle and the compositeline 3254 for the lane in a plane parallel to a detected ground plane inthe environment. For example, the lateral position 3280 may be adistance between a centroid of the vehicle 3210 and the composite line3254 for the lane bounded by the left crop row 3202 and the right croprow 3204. The vehicle 3210 may use the yaw 3270 and the lateral position3280 to determine control parameters (e.g., a turning angle and/or anacceleration) that can be used to cause the vehicle 3210 to move alongthe length of the lane bounded by the left crop row 3202 and the rightcrop row 3204. The vehicle 3210 may include an attached agriculturalimplement (e.g., a sprayer), and the vehicle 3210 may control theimplement to perform a function (e.g., spraying water or pesticide)either or both of the left crop row 3202 and the right crop row 3204 asthe vehicle 3210 moves along the length of the lane.

In some implementations, tightly coupled machine learning models may beemployed to determine position and/or orientation data (e.g., a yaw anda lateral position) for the vehicle in relation to lane bounded by oneor more crop rows. For example, range data captured by distance sensorconnected to the vehicle and/or image data captured by one or more imagesensors connected to the vehicle may be input to a machine learningmodule (e.g., a neural network) that has been trained to directlydetermine a position and/or orientation or the vehicle in relation tolane bounded by one or more crop rows based on the input sensor data. Insome implementations, the machine learning module (e.g., including aconvolutional neural network is trained to take range data and imagedata from the vehicle as input and output a yaw and lateral position inrelation to a lane bounded by one or more crop rows that the vehicle islocated in.

In some implementations, a system can comprise one or more image sensorsconnected to a vehicle, actuators configured to control motion of thevehicle, and a processing apparatus that can be configured to: accessimage data captured using the one or more image sensors, detect a croprow based on the image data to obtain position data for the crop row,determine, based on the position data for the crop row, a yaw and alateral position of the vehicle with respect to a lane bounded by thecrop row, and based on the yaw and the lateral position, control, usingone or more of the actuators, the vehicle to move along a length of thelane bounded by the crop row.

The system, in which in which the crop row is a left crop row, comprisesthe processing apparatus that can be configured to detect a right croprow based on the image data to obtain position data for the right croprow, wherein the lane is bounded by the right crop row and the yaw andthe lateral position are determined based on the position data for theright crop row. The system comprises the processing apparatus that canbe configured to: fit a first line to position data for multiple plantsin the left crop row, fit a second line to position data for multipleplants in the right crop row, and determine the yaw and the lateralposition based on the first line and the second line. The systemcomprises the processing apparatus that can be configured to: fit a lineto position data for multiple plants in the left crop row and toposition data for multiple plants in the right crop row and determinethe yaw and the lateral position based on the line. The system comprisesthe processing apparatus that can be configured to determine a distancefrom the vehicle to a plant in the crop row based on a size in pixels ofthe plant as it appears in the image data and a constant physical sizeparameter of the plant. The system comprises the processing apparatusthat can be configured to: determine a bounding box for a plant of thecrop row based on the image data and determine a distance from thevehicle to a plant in the crop row based on an assumed height of abottom of the bounding box relative to the one or more image sensors.

The system, in which one or more image sensors include two image sensorswith overlapping fields of view, comprises the processing apparatus thatcan be configured to determine a distance from the vehicle to a plant inthe crop row based on stereoscopic signal processing of image data fromthe two image sensors depicting the plant. The system comprises adistance sensor connected to the vehicle and the processing apparatusthat can be configured to: access range data captured using the distancesensor and determine a position of a plant in the crop row based on theimage data and the range data. The distance sensor can be a radarsensor. The distance sensor can be a lidar sensor.

The system, in which the one or more image sensors comprise a normalizeddifference vegetation index camera connected to the vehicle, comprisesthe processing apparatus that can be configured to: access normalizeddifference vegetation index data, captured using the normalizeddifference vegetation index camera and detect the crop row based on thenormalized difference vegetation index data. The system comprises theprocessing apparatus that can be configured to: input the image data toa neural network to detect a first plant of the crop row and obtainposition data for the first plant, fit a line to position data formultiple plants of the crop row, including the position data for thefirst plant, and determine the yaw and the lateral position based on theline. The position data for the first plant can include a bounding boxfor the first plant. The system can comprise an implement connected tothe vehicle, wherein the implement is configured to selectively performan operation on one or more plants or soil of the crop row as thevehicle is moved along the length of the lane bounded by the crop row.

The system, in which the crop row includes a raised planting bed,comprises the processing apparatus that can be configured to: detect oneor more edges of the raised planting bed based on the image data, andassociate the one or more edges of the raised planting bed withpositions, fit a line to the positions associated with an edge of theraised planting bed, and determine the yaw and the lateral positionbased on the line. The system comprises the processing apparatus thatcan be configured to: determine a ground plane segmentation based on theimage data, detect a furrow based on the ground plane segmentation toobtain position data for the furrow, and based on the position data forthe furrow, control one or more of the actuators to cause the vehicle tomove along a length of the furrow.

In some implementations, a method can comprise: accessing range datacaptured using a distance sensor connected to a vehicle, detecting acrop row based on the range data to obtain position data for the croprow, determining, based on the position data for the crop row, a yaw anda lateral position of the vehicle with respect to a lane bounded by thecrop row, and based on the yaw and the lateral position, controlling thevehicle to move along a length of the lane bounded by the crop row. Themethod, in which the crop row includes multiple plants, can comprise:detecting plants of the crop row based on the range data, andassociating plants of the crop row with respective positions, fitting aline to the respective positions of plants of the crop row, anddetermining the yaw and the lateral position based on the line.

The method, in which the crop row includes a raised planting bed, cancomprise: detecting one or more edges of the raised planting bed basedon the range data, and associating the one or more edges of the raisedplanting bed with positions, fitting a line to the positions associatedwith an edge of the raised planting bed, and determining the yaw and thelateral position based on the line. The distance sensor can include alidar sensor and the range data can include point cloud data. The methodcan comprise: determining a ground plane segmentation based on the pointcloud data, detecting a furrow based on the ground plane segmentation toobtain position data for the furrow, and based on the position data forthe furrow, controlling the vehicle to move along a length of thefurrow. The method can comprise filtering the point cloud data toconsider only points in a zone of interest when detecting the crop row,wherein the zone of interest is limited to a range of heights and amaximum distance from the vehicle.

The method, in which the distance sensor includes a radar sensor, cancomprise: accessing image data captured using one or more image sensorsconnected to the vehicle, determining bounding boxes for respectiveplants of the crop row based on the image data and the range data, anddetecting the crop row based on the bounding boxes. The method, in whichthe one or more image sensors comprise a normalized differencevegetation index camera connected to the vehicle, can comprise:accessing normalized difference vegetation index data, captured usingthe normalized difference vegetation index camera, and detecting thecrop row based on the normalized difference vegetation index data.

The method, in which the distance sensor includes a lidar sensor, cancomprise: accessing image data captured using one or more image sensorsconnected to the vehicle, determining bounding boxes for respectiveplants of the crop row based on the image data and the range data, anddetecting the crop row based on the bounding boxes. The method, in whichthe crop row is a left crop, can comprise: detecting a right crop rowbased on the range data, and determining, based on position data for theleft crop row and the right crop row, the yaw and the lateral positionof the vehicle with respect to a lane bounded by the left crop row andthe right crop row.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with certainembodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to belimited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intendedto cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements includedwithin the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accordedthe broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modificationsand equivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a distance sensor connectedto a vehicle, wherein the distance sensor is configured to output rangedata reflecting distances of objects with respect to the vehicle;actuators configured to control motion of the vehicle; and a processingapparatus configured to: access range data captured using the distancesensor; detect a crop row based on the range data to obtain positiondata for the crop row; determine, based on the position data for thecrop row, a yaw and a lateral position of the vehicle with respect to alane bounded by the crop row; and based on the yaw and the lateralposition, control, using one or more of the actuators, the vehicle tomove along a length of the lane bounded by the crop row.
 2. The systemof claim 1, in which the crop row includes multiple plants andprocessing apparatus is configured to: detect plants of the crop rowbased on the range data, and associate plants of the crop row withrespective positions; fit a line to the respective positions of plantsof the crop row; and determine the yaw and the lateral position based onthe line.
 3. The system of claim 1, in which the crop row includes araised planting bed and processing apparatus is configured to: detectone or more edges of the raised planting bed based on the range data,and associate the one or more edges of the raised planting bed withpositions; fit a line to the positions associated with an edge of theraised planting bed; and determine the yaw and the lateral positionbased on the line.
 4. The system of claim 1, in which the distancesensor includes a lidar sensor and the range data includes point clouddata, and in which the processing apparatus is configured to: determinea ground plane segmentation based on the point cloud data; detect afurrow based on the ground plane segmentation to obtain position datafor the furrow; and based on the position data for the furrow, controlone or more of the actuators to cause the vehicle to move along a lengthof the furrow.
 5. The system of claim 4, in which the processingapparatus is configured to: filter the point cloud data to consider onlypoints in a zone of interest when detecting the crop row, wherein thezone of interest is limited to a range of heights and a maximum distancefrom the vehicle.
 6. The system of claim 1, in which the distance sensorincludes a radar sensor, the system includes one or more image sensorsconnected to the vehicle, and the processing apparatus is configured to:access image data captured using the one or more image sensors;determine bounding boxes for respective plants of the crop row based onthe image data and the range data; and detect the crop row based on thebounding boxes.
 7. The system of claim 6, in which the one or more imagesensors comprise a normalized difference vegetation index cameraconnected to the vehicle, and in which the processing apparatus isconfigured to: access normalized difference vegetation index data,captured using the normalized difference vegetation index camera; anddetect the crop row based on the normalized difference vegetation indexdata.
 8. The system of claim 1, in which the distance sensor includes alidar sensor, the system includes one or more image sensors connected tothe vehicle, and the processing apparatus is configured to: access imagedata captured using the one or more image sensors; determine boundingboxes for respective plants of the crop row based on the image data andthe range data; and detect the crop row based on the bounding boxes. 9.The system of claim 1, in which the crop row is a left crop row, and theprocessing apparatus is configured to: detect a right crop row based onthe range data; and determine, based on position data for the left croprow and the right crop row, the yaw and the lateral position of thevehicle with respect to a lane bounded by the left crop row and theright crop row.
 10. The system of claim 1, in which the processingapparatus is configured to: determine the lateral position based on aconstant lane width parameter and based on the position data for thecrop row.
 11. A method comprising: accessing image data captured usingone or more image sensors connected to a vehicle; detecting a crop rowbased on the image data to obtain position data for the crop row;determining, based on the position data for crop row, a yaw and alateral position of the vehicle with respect to a lane bounded by thecrop row; and based on the yaw and the lateral position, controlling thevehicle to move along a length of the lane bounded by the crop row. 12.The method of claim 11, in which the crop row is a left crop row,comprising: detecting a right crop row based on the image data to obtainposition data for the right crop row; fitting a first line to positiondata for multiple plants in the left crop row; fitting a second line toposition data for multiple plants in the right crop row; and determiningthe yaw and the lateral position based on the first line and the secondline.
 13. The method of claim 11, comprising: fitting a line to multipleplants in the crop row; and determining the yaw and the lateral positionbased on the line.
 14. The method of claim 11, comprising: determining adistance from the vehicle to a plant in the crop row based on a size inpixels of the plant as it appears in the image data and a constantphysical size parameter of the plant.
 15. The method of claim 11,comprising: determining a bounding box for a plant of the crop row basedon the image data; and determining a distance from the vehicle to aplant in the crop row based on an assumed height of a bottom of thebounding box relative to the one or more image sensors.
 16. The methodof claim 11, in which one or more image sensors include two imagesensors with overlapping fields of view, comprising: determine adistance from the vehicle to a plant in the crop row based onstereoscopic signal processing of image data from the two image sensorsdepicting the plant.
 17. The method of claim 11, comprising: accessingrange data captured using a distance sensor connected to the vehicle, inwhich the distance sensor is any of a radar sensor and a lidar sensor;and determining a position of a plant in the crop row based on the imagedata and the range data.
 18. The method of claim 11, in which the one ormore image sensors comprise a normalized difference vegetation indexcamera connected to the vehicle, comprising: accessing normalizeddifference vegetation index data, captured using the normalizeddifference vegetation index camera; and detecting the crop row based onthe normalized difference vegetation index data.
 19. The method of claim11, comprising: inputting the image data to a neural network to detect afirst plant of the crop row and obtain position data for the firstplant; fitting a line to position data for multiple plants of the croprow, including the position data for the first plant; and determiningthe yaw and the lateral position based on the line.
 20. The method ofclaim 11, in which the crop row includes a raised planting bed,comprising: detecting one or more edges of the raised planting bed basedon the image data, and associating the one or more edges of the raisedplanting bed with positions; fitting a line to the positions associatedwith an edge of the raised planting bed; and determining the yaw and thelateral position based on the line.